Away from river quickly become successional forest on long abandoned farmland. Downslope is rich mixed mesophtic forest on slope and narrow band of floodplain forest along river.;Knob on limestone lithology overlooking Potomac River. Fine textured residual soils are probably less fertile than colluvial and alluvial soils in the vicinity. Area has long history of settlement so soils may have been affected by agriculture 100+ years ago. Today, community is a deciduous forest dominated by medium-large red oaks with sugar maple abundant in subcanopy. Shrubs and tree regeneration are sparse due to heavy deer herbivory. Herb layer is less rich compared to slopes below plot. Most spring herbs were no longer apparent on July revisit.
Representativeness
Small patch of slightly less rich forest on shoulder slope overlooking river. Natural forest type with elements of 2 other natural types making separation difficult. Spring sample before full leaf out, but canopy cover estimated as leaf on. Vanderhorst r
