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
25
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
8
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Resample of 13-year old permanent plot. Corners are now monumented with rebar stakes painted light blue.
This stand is essentially a small patch of Pinus rigida in a matrix of Quercus montana-dominated forest. Since 2001, a new ATV trail was constructed through the middle of the plot, running roughly north-south. One Pinus rigida and one Quercus montana were removed, and several Kalmia pruned to the ground, during the construction. Several Quercus montana snags (including the original tag tree) were present in the plot, and branch die-back on Kalmia latifolia was very noticeable. In fact, the density of measureable Kalmia stems (>2.5 cm DBH) decreased more than 50%, in part due to this die-back. This quadrat might seem to be a poor candidate to maintain as a permanent plot. However, it may prove worthwhile to monitor and study the long-term influences of the fragmenting trail and other, more natural disturbances.
