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
28
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
7
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: upper east slope of east ridge Bull Run Mountain, below saddle 0.94 km ESE of Rt. 629 bridge over Catharpin Creek. Marked with a metal tree tag. See form/report for sketch. No surface rocks present.
A mixed oak and hickory forest with a rather sparse but fairly diverse herb layer, representative of stands that prevail over the eastern flank of the Bull Run Mountain east ridge. In its mixed overstory, sparse representation of ericaceous shrubs, and numerous low-cover herbs, this vegetation type contrasts sharply with oak/heath and pine-oak/heath forests occupying the crest and western flank of this ridge (cf. plot BULL029). Environmental factors which appear to favor the oak-hickory type include a somewhat cooler, easterly aspect and more fertile, as well as probably deeper and moister, soils. This openly wooded slope is very accessible to white-tailed deer, whose grazing contributes to the low density and cover of herbs and shrubs. The following plants from this plot were noticeably damaged by herbivory: Carex digitalis var. digitalis, Carya ovalis, Hylodesmum nudiflorum, Eupatorium sessilifolium var. sessilifolium, Galium latifolium, Polygonatum biflorum var. biflorum, and Solidago ulmifolia.
