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
34
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Fairly mature stand of mixed oak and Kalmia latifolia on sheltered slope adjacent to Indian Gap. The relatively low number of stump sprouted individuals, the presence of a few considerably larger trees (> 50 cm dbh), and the absence of a substantial component of Liriodendron tulipifera suggest that most recent logging was selective thinning 80-100 yr ago. Oak regeneration is minimal, and almost no understory individuals > 20 cm tall are present. A low Kalmia layer and a tall understory of Acer rubrum and Magnolia acuminata likely limit oak recruitment. Woody seedlings nevertheless dominate the very patchy herb layers. Moderate ongoing herbivory, presumably by gypsy moth, was observed ca. 3 mi north on Parkway, but no apparent herbivory in this stand. No extant gaps present in plot.
Plot location was pre-selected by the project's stratified random sampling design.
From Indian Rocks Parking Area proceed north along shoulder of BRP ca. 100 m. Plot located ca. 50 m road beyond base of short, steep slope.
Tagged tree is a Quercus montana of 33cm DBH with tag #402. Conduit is at a bearing of 39 degrees and 3.1 meters from tree.
Old road grade lies just above plot. BRP runs 20-30 m from plot and ca. 6-10 vertical m above, but effect of road is negligible within stand. Several trees originated as stump sprouts. Coarse woody debris probably from ice storms or moderate gypsy moth defoliation. One large (80+ cm dbh) Quercus alba with evident fire scar. Culvert above plot may yield heavy runoff after major storm events.