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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
23
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
75
%
Field Cover
2
%
Nonvascular Cover
3
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures old-growth Quercus montana stand described by Abrams, Orwig and Dockry (1997), who provide detailed information on stand structure and tree age and estimate stand size at ca. 6 ha. The oldest trees have been dated at > 300 yr. The most extensive portion of this stand appears to occupy slope with southeastern exposure, to the west of plot and across boulder-strewn draw. The south-facing slope, however, seems to harbor the largest individuals of Q. montana and Q. rubra. Plot layout was designed to maximize the inclusion of large trees, so estimates of basal area and size-frequency distribution may be biased. At the far end of plot, vegetation grades into dominance by pine (many stems of which are dead), and density of Kalmia latifolia increases. Coarse woody debris abounds and leaf litter and duff are deep. These conditions and numerous boulders create considerable microtopographic relief and microedaphic variation. Numerous Kalmia stems are dead. No stumps are evident, and no Q. montana boles appear to be of sprout origin. Based on stand size, stature and age of trees, volume of coarse woody debris and density of snags, this stand clearly qualifies as old-growth. Vitis labrusca and Parthenocissus quinquefolia occur in gap in module 10. Crowns have experienced some disturbance throughout plot, but there are no large extant gaps.
