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
21
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
10
%
Nonvascular Cover
7
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures lowermost portion of relatively small stand of Quercus montana, Q. rubra, Kalmia latifolia and Rhododendron catawbiense, as well as ecotonal transition to more mesophytic vegetation downslope with Q. rubra, Q. montana, Betula lenta, Acer pensylvanicum, Ilex montana, Hamamelis virginiana, and Dennstaedtia punctilobula. Several species are confined to this (latter) section of the plot, including Dennstaedtia, Carex pensylvanica, Tsuga canadensis, Eurybia divaricata, Solidago curtisii. The heath layer is interrupted, but numerous individuals of Kalmia exceed 6 m in height. Several large (> 40 cm dbh) Q. montana are present; many have broad, slightly buttressed bases, and none is obviously of sprout origin. Most have evidently experienced some crown damage, however, and several large limbs and a few downed boles contribute to coarse woody debris. Dead Rhododendron and especially Kalmia branches also abound.
Plot location was pre-selected in the project's stratified-random sampling design.
Directions to plot: From Flat Top Mt. Overlook, proceed south on Flat Top Mt. Trail to first major switchback to the right. From here proceed ESE ca. 190 m to tagged tree (Q. montana, 47 cm dbh, tag #319).
Fine-textured silt loam, light to medium brown, frequently shallow, rocky, with locally abundant darker brown organic matter.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
An extensive blowdown is located in the ravine just west of the plot, which influenced plot placement. Two large gaps (> 100 sq. m) in plot. One is extant on the lower side; the other has been largely filled in by expansion of adjacent crowns.