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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
2
m
Shrub Cover
6
%
Field Cover
12
%
Nonvascular Cover
90
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The Cedar Creek granite flatrock is an massive, mostly sloping outcrop of granitic gneiss that has been exposed by millenia of gradual downcutting by the small but high-gradient stream. Because it is located on a old, working farm, the outcrop has had a long history of human visitation and use, with at least one old road crossing the stream on the rocks. More recently, ATV trespass has been an issue. The result of these impacts has been that the herbaceous flora has been reduced to small pockets, mostly along the edges of the outcrop. This plot was placed along one edge where significant colonies of lithophytic annuals persist on a high shelf. Here, several species typical of granitic flatrocks in Virginia - e.g., Talinum teretifolium, Croton willdenowii, and Minuartia glabra - occupy bryophyte mats and gravelly depressions.
The alluvial soil type above is incorrectly mapped on this slope, which is well above maximum flooding level of the creek. Soil at this site is confined to a few shallow, sandy pockets and depressions on the outcrop surface.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Plot positioned on least disturbed part of outcrop.
unknown
Some wear from trampling and ATVs (mostly outside of plot)