From Cades Cove Loop Road, turn onto Rich Mountain Road. Drive approximately 2.5 miles to sharp switchback of road. Park on roadside before the switchback. Head SE about 250 meters.
Flat ridge. Thin sandy soil. Xeric. -- This area is highly dissected, with ridges and ravines closely packed together. Because of this, propagules easily end up in uncharacteristic environment. Thus Gaylussacia ursina is uncharacteristically common.
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Sample Method
full census
Plot Quality Fields:
Effort Level
Thorough
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Floristic Quality
High but incomplete
Bryophyte Quality
Very incomplete
Lichen Quality
Very incomplete
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
--no data--
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Am puzzled why species such as Vaccinium hirsutum are not present. This stand has some nice large Table Mountain pines. Why hasn't there been a beetle outbreak here? Clumps of Virginia pine scattered about.