Shale barren is above floodplain with Pinus strobus dominating and below plateau with Navy communications facilities (huge satelite dishes etc...). Within shale barren there is a range of community composition from the dryest open upper slopes like this plot, to areas with higher herb diversity downslope. Some areas seem to be succeeding away from pine dominance.;Steep dry shale slope with open woodland dominated by Pinus virginiana and oaks. Shrubs are heavily browsed up to 5 feet (including lower branches of Quercus illicifolia)
Representativeness
Plot represents the most open aspect of the slope.
Site of monitoring for Arabis serotina with grid markers and other tags and markers strewn about. Evidence of trailing, probably mostly from deer. This year the site was visited several times by WVHP, otherwise the site is probably little visited by people since access is restricted by Navy.
