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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Cover
30
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
50
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Environmental and floristic data from two contiguous 100 sq. m permanent plots were combined and averaged to produce a single 200 sq. m plot that more completely characterizes the vegetation of this site and is more comparable in size with plots collected in similar vegetation elsewhere. This site, famous for the occurrence of the single-station endemic Iliamna corei (Peters Mountain Mallow), supports unusual calciphitic vegetation on hematitic sandstone. The calcareous influence is most evident along a narrow spur crest with exposed sandstone outcrops, quickly diminishing downslope on either side of the crest. Soils here have a relatively low pH (mostly <5.0) with medium to high Ca (up to 3089 ppm). Vegetation is a mixed, composite- and graminoid-rich woodland similar to woodlands occurring on and around basic metamorphosed and igneous rocks (greenstone, granite) of the Blue Ridge.
Plot located on a narrow, rocky ridge spur at the southwestern end of Peters Mountain, above The Narrows of the New River. The centers of the two contiguous circular plots are marked by painted rebar stakes.