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
24
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
55
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is located on the crest and uppermost south slope of Naked Mountain. It is part of the same stand as NAKE004P, representing the matrix vegetation on the portion of the mountain underlain by amphibolite. Unlike NAKE004P, this part of the stand has experienced more human disturbance, and is also apparently situated on drier, rockier soils, with stones covering some areas of the soil surface. Although the maximum canopy height is 24 meters, most trees are 21 m or less. There may have been an old jeep road / trail along the crest that resulted in some ground disturbance and the spread of several exotic plants into the area. Tilia americana is a major associate of the oaks and hickories here, while the herb layer is moderately dense and dominated by a mixture of graminoids and forbs.
The plot is permanently monumented to enable long-term monitoring and re-sampling; see original plot form for diagram.
