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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
11
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: rocky spur-ridge crest 0.37 km ENE of High Acre Ridge Summit. Marked with a metal tree tag. See form/report for sketch.
Rock types present: large quartzite boulders (outcrops nearby).
This plot documents a very scrubby, dense woodland of Pinus pungens, Quercus montana, and mixed ericaceous shrubs. The site encompasses a very rocky spur ridge crest and upper slope with a history of disturbances including fire, drought, and southern pine beetle infestation. Because of massive outcrops and boulders, very thick vegetation, and many snags and downed logs of pines killed by beetles, it was not practical to sample a standard 400 squared meter plot. Therefore, a 200 squared meter (10 X 20 m) quadrant was sampled. Extremely low species-richness and the near absence of herbaceous plants probably result from the xeric, rocky substrate and limited areas of oligotrophic soil. In areas where mineral soil does occur, it is mantled by extraordinarily deep (up to 24 cm), charcoal-rich humus.
