releve Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
11
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
20
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a xerophytic woodland along the brow of a sheer limestone cliff above the Powell River. A linear 5 X 40 meter sample was employed to capture the characteristic zone of grassy woodland and exclude both the cliff proper and the dense forest above. The woodland is stunted by a hot exposure and very shallow soil over and around ledgy bedrock outcrops; however, soil, moss, or litter cover the rock in most places. Schizachyrium scoparium and Bouteloua curtipendula are the dominant grasses of this site, but their cover was greatly reduced on the survey date by recent cattle grazing.