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, to areas with higher herb diversity downslope (this plot). Some areas seem to be succeeding away from pine dominance.;Shale barren woodland on steep slope dominated by mix of oaks and pines. Tall shrub layer has moderate cover with serviceberry and scrub oak. Sparse herb layer is dominated by PA sedge. Tip mound topography is evident. Deer browsing is evident but there are more shrubs in this plot than in others.
Representativeness
Plot represents the south end of the shale barren which may be succeeding away from pine dominance despite dry site conditions.
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.
