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
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
65
%
Field Cover
8
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot positioned in an oak / heath forest that occupies a fairly extensive area of ridge tops and convex upper slopes in Great Falls Park. The entire area shows abundant evidence of past fires and supports dense ericaceous understories that produce enough fuel to carry significant fires periodically. However, fire-intolerant species such as Fagus grandifolia and Acer rubrum are obviously invading understories throughout the same area, suggesting a reduction of fire and a gradual shift toward more mesophytic vegetation.