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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
15
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
7
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Stunted, somewhat open vegetation dominated by Quercus montana and Q. rubra over Kalmia latifolia and Rhododendron catawbiense appears to occupy extensive area on spur ridges off Buzzards Roost. Presence or absence of evergreen heath, though, seems to be a function of local topography and aspect. Dense low heath cover undoubtedly limits both tree regeneration and herbaceous cover. Size of overstory oaks is not particularly impressive (although a few individuals approach 40 cm dbh). Virtually none evidently arose as stump sprouts; remoteness of site and quality of timber may have limited logging. Nearly all trees exhibit moderate crown damage, presumably as a result of wind and ice storms.
Directions to plot:
Plot location was pre-selected in the project's stratified-random sampling design.
Plot and tagged tree (Quercus rubra, 38 cm dbh, tag #317) located ca. 300 m WNW of sag just NE of Buzzards Roost.
