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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
30
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
0.5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot documents a small patch of mixed hemlock - hardwood forest on a steep, rocky, north-facing bluff along a tributary of Biscuit Run. Virtually all of the hemlock is in the sub-canopy, while medium-age Quercus alba strongly dominates the overstory. American beech is scattered in both the overstory and understory. Herb cover and diversity are low in the heavily shaded, extremely acidic soil. Although hemlock woolly adelgids are present in the stand, damage to the trees is comparatively light.