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:
Shrub Height
3
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Exemplary, potentially old-growth stand of Quercus rubra and Betula spp. over extremely dense Rhododendron maximum at base of cliff on north face of Buffalo Mountain. It was impossible to maintain straight lines when laying out plot, and magnitude of deviation from rectangular is unknown. Stems of Rhododendron were sampled in a 4 x 50 m subsample along center line. Although Betula lenta and B. allegheniensis attain higher cover, the largest stems are Quercus rubra. This portion of stand lacks the abundant boulders and microtopographic variation which are more prevalent in the western end and which are characteristic of high elevation northern hardwood forests. Herbs in module 3 and in residual modules are chiefly restricted to mesic rock outcrops on upper long side of plot. Floristic data may be incomplete due to dense understory vegetation. Time and weather precluded any coring of trees, but age data are desirable. Stand is very difficult to reach and eastern end has not been explored. Best access is via extremely steep and precarious rock-strewn chute adjacent to cliffs on northwest side of summit. Soil is extremely nutrient-poor.
