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
29
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
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 nearly level upland supporting a dry, grassy forest dominated by Quercus alba; Carya spp. and Cercis canadensis are common in the understory, while clones of Muhlenbergia sobolifera patch-dominate the herb layer.