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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Shrub Cover
12
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
65
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot is representative of two gneissic outcrop barrens on Dudley Mountain, a western Piedmont foothill of the Blue Ridge. The outcrops are roughly one acre in size, occurring on the south-facing upper slope of the ridge, just below the summit. The surrounding vegetation is an extensive stand of basic oak-hickory forest. GPS data were collected at the east edge of the plot.
The habitat occurs on smooth, unfractured outcrops that are gently sloping on the upslope side but dip progressively steeply into cliff-like faces downslope. Significant local seepage occurs across the faces during wet periods. Mats of lichens, mosses, and Bryodesma rupestre have high cover and support many shallowly rooted vascular lithophytes. Dominant non-vasculars include Grimmia laevigata, Xanthoparmelia sp., Hedwigia ciliata, Polytrichum spp., and Dermatocarpon luridum. Scattered, gnarled Juniperus virginiana and stunted Carya glabra are the principal woody species. Patch-dominant vascular lithophytes include Carex pensylvanica, Cheilanthes lanosa, and Phacelia dubia.