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
29
m
Shrub Height
2
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot documents a small patch of undisturbed oak-hickory forest on a west facing slope convexity above a ravine. A mature beech-oak forest occupies the bottom and opposite slope of the ravine. This area is surrounded by younger and more disturbed forests. The sampled stand is estimated to be ca. 60-80 years old. The soil lacks a distinct A horizon, suggesting erosion from past land uses. Quartz fragments occur at the soil surface and in the profile. Mosses grow on tree trunks and in small patches on the soil surface. Surprisingly, no exotic plants occur in the plot, which has notably high species richness (92 taxa / 400 sq. m.) and a good diversity of herbs. This forest is probably representative of the former oak-hickory forests that were recently cut over on adjacent state park land.