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:
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
7
m
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A diverse and heterogeneous shrub bald community occurs on the open Pinnacles at the summit of Haw Orchard Mountain. Despite locally low density of shrubs, a 400 sq. m plot was deemed necessary in order to capture most of the species present. Plot placement was complicated by variable physiognomy, rock outcrops, and well-worn hiking trail, but this sample is probably representative. Considerable microrelief exists within plot, which prevented complete exploration and influenced estimation of cover. Early senescence and variable morphology of fertile fronds made fern identification especially difficult. It is unclear whether this stand represents a natural community or an edaphically limited sere following logging of spruce.
