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
36
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
1
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Mesic mixed hardwood stand of relatively large Quercus, Carya, Fagus and Liriodendron occupies western corner of Grafton Ponds NAP. Plot lies ca. 100m southwest of sinkhole pond N7. There is substantial local variation in overstory composition, and plot placement was difficult to minimize internal heterogeneity. Asimina triloba forms dense but scattered clonal patches throughout stand. The paucity of tree regeneration likely reflects heavy deer browsing. Oak richness (eight species) may be a record for sampled Virginia vegetation.
From flagged Pinus taeda (30.8 cm dbh) outside plot: 8.8 m @ 198 deg to Stake A. GPS positions recorded in 2D mode.
0 - 1 - leaf litter
1 - 16 - medium brown, slightly clayey sand
16 - 40 - lighter brown soil, with somewhat higher clay content and lenses of dark, apparently more organic-rich material
40 - reddish-brown sandy clay; forms good clods only by ca. 70 cm
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Network of mountain bike trails permeates this section of Grafton Ponds NAP
