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
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: wooded slope approx. 70 meters ENE of Willis River Forest Road bridge over the Willis River.
This plot is situated on a a short, steep slope abundantly covered in places with spheroidal diabase boulders. Basic soils, high in Ca, Mg, and Mn, support a very diverse, dry-mesic forest with mixed dominance in every stratum. Several Quercus spp., Carya spp., Fraxinus americana, Fagus grandifolia, Ulmus alata, Carpinus caroliniana, Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, and Asimina triloba are prominent in the woody flora. The herbaceous flora is no less varied: Quercus shumardii, Euphorbia commutata, Matelea obliqua, Ruellia purshiana, Solidago ulmifolia, and Triosteum angustifolium are notable calciphiles present. This plot is part of the same stand as plot CUSF001, and both are superb representatives of species-rich oak-hickory forests of basic soils in the southern Piedmont.