Intensive 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
15
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures open, stunted oak-hickory forest/woodland that forms matrix surrounding more open barrens on south slope of Buffalo Mountain. Canopy cover here is greater than in some portions of stand, and hence several light-demanding species are absent. Disturbance appears to be a salient feature of this vegetation, although plot largely avoids gaps (far upper corner of module 8 and far side of module 3 abut gaps), and canopy height within plot is more uniform than in most of this stand.
Plot lies ca. 30 m east of lower portion of large barren directly below western summit. Stake B flagged. This stake stands < 1 m from Quercus alba (35+ cm) in module 9. Just downslope from module 2 is dead Carya ovata bent ca. 2 m off ground.