Below plot is an old primitive road and below that is HWY 33 and fish hatchery. Noise pollution from US33 across valley. Area settled since late 1800's (old cemetery down hill - Coberly, Summerfield, Arborgast);Steep south facing slope below bedrock ledges, possibly limestone. Forest is mixed oak-hickory with mixed mesophytic trees (sugar maple, basswood) in the sub-canopy. Lots of boulders and rocks in plot wasted from ledges above. Shrub layers are very sparse probably due to deer herbivory. Soil shows steep pH gradient with circumneutral A horizon over acidic residuum.
Representativeness
Late season sample. This plot is centered on an area with a large hickory componant but oak trees rooted out of plot contribute cover and are a typical component of this south slope forest.