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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
21
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: just east of the "Quarry Trail" along ridge crest, 0.46 km N of Beverly Mill. Marked with a metal tree tag. See form/report for sketch. No surface rocks present.
A xeric, very infertile, low-elevation ridge crest supporting mixed Pinus rigida - Quercus spp. vegetation; Pinus rigida, however, is somewhat more important in the plot sample than it is in the overall stand. Thick duff and root-rich humus, along with dense rhizomatous colonies of Gaylussacia baccata, severely limit herbaceous species and contribute to low (n = 15) overall species richness. Widespread patches of Pinus rigida, fire scars, and charcoal fragments all indicate a strong history of fire on this ridge site.
