Releve Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, see http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/documents/nh_plotform_instructions.pdf
Overall Taxon Cover Values are Automatically Calculated?
no
Stem Observation Area
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
30
m
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: just S of Rt. 784 near entrance to Fernbrook Natural Area.
Both soil chemistry data and vegetation composition suggest that the mapped geologic substrate (metagabbro) is incorrect. The plot is located on a gentle Piedmont upland in the Fernbrook Natural Area, a preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy. The land use history of this part of this site is not know. Current vegetation is an oligotrophic mixed oak forest (Quercus alba, Q. coccinea, Q. falcata) with plentiful cover of Amelanchier arborea, Acer rubrum, Viburnum acerifolium, Gaylussacia baccata, and Vaccinium spp. in the lower woody layers. The herbaceous flora is sparse.