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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
50
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A mesotrophic old growth forest in a running horizontal concavity, characteristically filled with talus, mainly sandstone. Mesic conditions are doubtless the result of the slope shape and midslope position. The occurrence of mesotrophic indicators and the high pH and high Ca and Mg values for the mineral soil strongly suggest that the sandstone rubble is surficial, lying over soil formed from a calcareous bedrock, probably Martinsburg shale. The shrub layer is characteristically lush in these bouldery fluvial concavities, as they are subject to frequent canopy openings due to tree fall and scarcity of sites for tree recruitment, due to large area occupied by boulders.
Plot located ca. 1.66 mi NNW of Morning Knob. From small, artificial pond ca. 300 ft west of FR 175, go northwest ca. 700 ft. Plot is on centerline of a hollow-head with many boulders; plot center is ca. 15 m S63E of 108-cm Quercus rubra with basal fire scar facing uphill.