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
7
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Diabase
Soils probably shallow to bedrock. High/xeric extreme of forest on this site.
Site is part of an extensive, rocky diabase "flatwoods" supporting a relatively old stand of dry, species-rich oak-hickory forest. Soils in this area have a distinct fragipan of montmorillonite clay and alternate between being rock-hard during dry periods and waterlogged during wet periods. This plot is located in one of the highest and most xeric habitats, on the flat summit of a distinct "knob." Soils are probably shallow to bedrock, and are rich in calcium, magnesium, and manganese. Unlike other parts of the stand, the forest here is dominated by small-diameter Fraxinus americana, with oaks and hickories secondary in importance. Cercis canadensis is a common shrub and the herb layer consists largely of graminoids, particularly Muhlenbergia sobolifera and Dichanthelium boscii. Stand structure and composition suggest that this knob was cleared more recently than other parts of the stand.