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
34
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
20
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
National Park Service boundary runs through plot, which is located on a rather dry ridge crest well above the Potomac River. The vegetation is essentially a mixed oak forest with poor oak recruitment and an understory that has undergone recent invasion by more mesophytic species, especially Fagus grandifolia, Liriodendron, Acer rubrum, and Asimina triloba. Fire exclusion is the likely reason for this mixed floristic character. Abundant light from the open canopy apparently favors the occurrence of numerous low-cover herbaceous species.
Low cover of exotics. Deer browse generally severe in area, less so in plot. Several dead trees in plot, possibly due to drought. Stump-sprouted oaks frequent in stand.