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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
30
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This forest community occurs adjacent to a vernal stream at the base of a steep bouldery slope. Colluvial processes evidently enrich the soil. Trees are all deciduous species indicating mesotrophic conditions are Aristolochia macrophylla, Rubus odoratus and Tilia americana (heterophylla?). This plot has an ESE aspect, whereas plot GRNF705 faces northeast. This difference, influencing microclimatic conditions, perhaps accounts for the presence of Tsuga canadensis and Betula alleghaniensis in plot GRNF705. Herbs differ somewhat also. The warmer ESE-facing slope of plot GNRF705 contains Ageratina altissima, Dioscorea quaternata, Robinia pseudoacacia and Lysimachia quadrifolia. Surrounding this plot are scattered large-diameter Quercus montana, most of which are now dead for reasons not yet clearly understood.
Plot located ca. 60 m west of plot GRNF707 (and Little Laurel Run) on slope near vernal stream, at or near the letter "L" of the word "Little" as shown on 1967 USGS quadrangle.