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
22
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
4
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Resample of 13-year old permanent plot. Corners are now monumented with rebar stakes painted light blue.
The woody component of this plot has changed little since 2001, except for the surprisingly strong growth of the greatly dominant Quercus montana on this very dry and acidic site. Although a few of the smaller trees of this species have died, strong diameter growth among the larger trees has resulted in a 25% increase in basal area over thirteen years. The estimated percentage of bare mineral soil substrate in this plot has increased from 5 to 10%, especially along a pronounced animal or anthropogenic social trail that runs north-south through the center of the plot. Additionally, the deciduous ericads that dominate a dense low shrub stratum have been greatly reduced in stature and cover by heavy deer browse. The cover of Vaccinium pallidum has decreased from approximately 70% in 2001 to 40% in 2014, and that of Gaylussacia baccata has decreased from approximately 8% to 1%. No browsing impacts were noted in the original sampling.
