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 Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Habitat is a bouldery, convex slope supporting an open northern hardwood forest. Unlike most similar habitats in the Mount Rogers area, the typically co-dominant Fagus grandifolia is entirely absent from this stand; Acer saccharum is the clear dominant here, with several subordinate species present. There is a conspicuous lack of tree reproduction at this site, possibly due to deer grazing.
Southern slope of Haw Orchard Mountain. Plot located in bouldery northern hardwood forest just east of the Listening Rock Trail, at a point ca. 0.1 mi south of trailhead on road to Visitors Center.