Intensive 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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
30
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
2
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Nonvascular Cover
3
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Somewhat sheltered SSE-facing slope with scattered relatively large, single-stemmed oaks and a low, sparse herb layer. This stand appears to occupy most of the gentle upper slope on this side of Chambers Ridge. Deep browsing and dry, infertile soil undoubtedly account in large part for the paucity of herbs, but the lack of a better developed ericaceous shrub layer is puzzling. The abundance of Quercus velutina seedlings is notably high, but there are virtually no large seedlings or small saplings (0.25 - 3 m tall). Some herbivory of overstory oaks seems to have occurred this year. As tree data indicate, Quercus prinus (primarily of sprout origin) is more abundant in far end of plot (modules 4-7). Numerous snags of Cornus florida are present.
