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
27
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
20
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Resample of 13-year old permanent plot. Corners are now monumented with rebar stakes painted light blue.
In overall character, this plot is much the same as in 2001 - a dryish, Quercus alba-dominated forest with Viburnum prunifolium dominant in the understory and a patchy herb layer rich in grasses and sedges. The dominant oaks have grown considerably and the density of measureable Viburnum stems has increased by nearly 100%. Most of the higher-cover herbs in 2001 were judged to have similar cover in 2014. However, an erosion gully at the north edge of the plot has deepened over the years, and Microstegium vimineum has become established both there and in the old road bed above the plot. Additionally, overall species richness in the sample increased from 54 to 65 species, and it was not merely the result of new species being added. Twelve herb and shrub species recorded in 2001 were not found in the resampling, while 23 new herbs and shrubs were added. The reasons for this fairly significant species turnover are not clear. Deer herbivory does not appear to be a strong influence on ground-level composition here; or if it is, herbivory levels have not changed much since 2001. Some of the turnover could be due to differences in sampling times/conditions (July 26 in 2001, during a very dry summer vs. June 16, 2014, after a much wetter spring).
See soil chemistry and profile data of original plot BULL052P
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Erosion gully at north edge of plot has deepened since 2001. Minor exotics. Microstegium vimineum established in old road bed and gully adjacent to plot.