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 Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This stand appears typical of the prevailing forest vegetation on the southwest to northwest side of Buffalo Mountain, downslope from the Carya - Quercus / Ostrya woodland on the south and west aspects and the Quercus - Betula / Rhododendron forest on the north side. Prominent saddle of Buffalo Mountain located perhaps 100-150 m downslope. Directly downslope is small "Lindera gap" adjacent to old logging road. Along the contour to the southeast, the upper terminus of large clearcut appears to be at most 50 m away. Stand extends upslope for about another 100 m before slope steepens sharply and abrupt transition to oak-hickory woodland begins. Plot is located on a local colluvial slope which favors dominance by Tilia americana. Canopy composition here appears to vary more than characteristic herbaceous composition. Surrounding canopy comprises Quercus rubra, Fraxinus americana, Carya ovalis, C. ovata, and Q. alba. Gap in module 1 (apparently caused by mortality of Robinia pseudoacacia) was not noticed until after plot was laid out; this gap contributed to small sunfleck at center of plot at midday.
GPS positions collected in 2D and hence are unreliable. Fraxinus americana in module 10 is flagged and stands adjacent to flat boulder.
