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
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
8
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot location: ravine slope NE of Rock Quarry Forest Road and 1.0 km NW of jct. Rtes. 624 and 623.
This lower ravine slope is part of the Rock Quarry Natural Area, a 27-acre tract set aside by the Virginia Department of Forestry as an mature representative of "white and red oak forest types." Although both oaks dominate over some parts of the natural area, the sampled stand is more accurately described as a mixed forest of Fagus grandifolia, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Quercus spp. Liriodendron appears to be primarily a gap-invader in this stand, while Fagus dominates all understory strata and has attained co-dominance in the overstory in paces. The site is mesic, with extremely acidic and infertile soil. The stand is an outstanding example the Fagus grandifolia - Quercus (alba, rubra) - Liriodendron tulipifera / (Ilex opaca var. opaca) / Polystichum acrostichoides Forest ecological community type defined in the National Vegetation Classification.