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
15
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
95
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
4
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The sampled Quercus rubra / Rhododendron catawbiense vegetation is distinctive on Apple Orchard Mountain, occupying a relatively narrow zone on the upper NW flank. It is bordered upslope (on and near the crest) by old clearings; downslope, it abruptly transitions to a very bouldery and mature stand of Betula alleghaniensis-dominated northern hardwoods. The Appalachian Trail runs through the plot and was used as a staging area to minimize problems associated with sampling in the very dense understory, which averages > 4000 Rhododendron stems/ha. Dominant Quercus rubra (up to ca. 60 cm DBH) here are short and somewhat gnarled from wind and ice damage. Recruitment of this species is essentially lacking, with smaller Betula alleghaniensis and Betula lenta constituting most of the subcanopy. Dennstaedia punctilobula is the only herb with substantial cover occurring in the dense shade of Rhododendron. Exposed mineral soil along the AT supports several herbaceous species not found elsewhere in the plot, e.g., Lysimachia quadrifolia ,Hieracium paniculatum, Poa alsodes, Houstonia longifolia, and Agrostis perennans.
