Large N - S running ridge line separating WV to the West and VA to the East. The Appalachian Trail follows the ridge and in many cases the state boundary. The dominant community type observed has been Oak / Hickory forest.;Dry forest community on a gently sloping NW facing shoulder slope. The forest is dominated by Pinus rigida over a dense stand of S1 Kalmia latifolia and S2 Gaylassacia baccata. There was possibly a stand replacing fire roughly 80 yrs ago. This is based on tree cores of the Pinus rigida. The first 15 yrs shows fast growth with the remaining 40+ yrs the rings become tight indicating the closing of the canopy. The coring of a second pine shows the same pattern.
Representativeness
Medium sized patch of xeric Pine / Heath forest growing on a NW facing shoulder slope. Plot was placed to sample the windy ridge polygon located on the Blue Ridge.