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
16
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: near summit of knob on east ridge of Bull Run Mountain, 1.97 km SSE of Hopewell Gap. Marked by a metal tree tag. See form/report for sketch. No surface rocks present.
This very dry, infertile, ridge-crest habitat burned approximately 20 to 30 years ago and almost certainly has a long history of periodic fires. One of the more extensive and well-developed pine-dominated forests in the Bull Run mountains occupies this site. Pinus rigida, Pinus strobus, and Pinus virginiana all occur, with major associates of Quercus montana and the scrubby Quercus marilandica. A very dense (>80% cover) shrub complex of Kalmia latifolia and deciduous ericads grows beneath the stunted (max. height = 16 m) trees. Currently, about 10 cm of duff and root-rich humus overlies rocky mineral soil at this site, nearly precluding the establishment of any herbaceous species.