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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
36
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Herb layer of Cimicifuga racemosa and Caulophyllum thalictroides is best developed at near end of plot and extends behind plot off preserve. This stratum is much lower and more open in modules 4-7, where Cimicifuga is sparse and Caulophyllum almost completely absent. Numerous stumps attest to past logging, perhaps within last 30 yr, and stand structure reflects selective thinning. At least one Castanea stump and downed bole appear to be present. More recent wind disturbance has felled overstory trees, broken limbs, and snapped saplings. Several gaps up to ca. 50 sq. m present in and around plot, though most have been filled in by subcanopy trees. Thus light availability in understory seems to be uniformly rather low (under overcast skies). One notable gap in lower half of module 10 colonized by abundant Corylus americana and Ilex montana. Large old gap present in module 4.
Permanent PVC stake marking Stewardship plot 6-07 located in module 9.
