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
26
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
3
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
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 on a somewhat xeric, boulder-strewn "crest" vegetated with an open stand of mixed oaks, hickories, and white ash. Cercis canadensis is a common shrub and the herb layer is dominated by xerophytic graminoids, particularly Muhlenbergia sobolifera. Composition is fairly typical of the overall stand.