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
15
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of the second and third order stream bottoms in the shale hills portions of the study area, where a gently sloping to level streamside terraces have developed adjacent to the active streambed. The plot is diverse in part because of medium fertility, in part diversity of microelevation (hence moisture regime diversity) within the plot and in part because flood erosion periodically downs trees and shrubs, resulting in openings and well developed herb layer. The higher terrace is probably seldom flooded, the lower terrace on a year or so.
Plot located in 10-m wide stream bottom on unnamed tributary to Laurel Branch from the south, ca. 1000 ft upstream of confluence.