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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
20
m
Tree Cover
40
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
40
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Calcareous woodland immediately above sheer limestone outcrops near Skylight Cave. Plot limited to 10 m wide to avoid adjacent, somewhat disturbed forest dominated by Quercus alba, although overhanging Q. alba canopy could not be avoided. Plot is situated above an abrupt though short escarpment, but this community is probably best considered a xeric calcareous cliff. Time did not permit floristic sampling of entire hectare. Both canopy and understory have been somewhat disturbed. Ongoing herbivory, especially to oaks, has been moderate; several snags are present; one large downed Juniperus virginiana lies across the plot; and erosion appears to be active locally on the cliff edge. Density of shrubs and small trees is patchy and may reflect canopy openings.
Directions: Follow Lewis Hollow Trail north (upslope) to Skylight Cave. Where trail crosses creek, proceed upslope to the right, above cave, and walk on edge of cliff ca. 100 m to plot center. Far end of plot lies near where slope bends to the east. Tagged tree is at top edge of cliff at base of fallen tree. Tagged tree is a Juniperus virginiana of 40 cm with tag # 163. Conduit is a bearing of 43 degrees and 5 m from tree. Only upper portion of the 1.0 ha area was surveyed as lower portion was an inaccessible cliff.