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
31
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
12
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Resample of 13-year old permanent plot. Corners are now monumented with rebar stakes painted light blue. Leucobryum glaucum is the dominant bryophyte on soil. Numerous crustose lichens occur on stones.
Based on first appearances, this plot seemed little changed since 2001. However, closer inspection revealed several differences. One of the large black oak trees had died, along with all of the several Kalmia latifolia shrubs in the plot. Small stems of Sassafras albidum and Rhododendron periclymenoides measured in 2001 had also died, and the cover of the deciduous ericads Gaylussacia baccata and Vaccinium pallidum had decreased from >5% and >10% to <2% and <5% respectively. However, the overall woody basal area and floristic composition is very close between the two samples. The habitat of this plot is a steep, dry, stony slope, and periodic droughts may contribute to fluctuations in species abundances. Heavy deer browse may also be a contributor to the reduction of deciduous ericads.
