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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
16
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Stunted, open, parklike woodland on the crest of Warm Springs Mountain. Although Mike Leahy had indicated that this vegetation may represent an old-growth stand, most trees are evidently of coppice origin (although only largest of set of stump sprouts often seems to have survived), and low density of trees and irregular crown architecture may indicate past grazing (particularly in the southwestern end). Ground layer vegetation contains variable proportions of low ericads, Carex pensylvanica, and Calamagrostis porteri; this plot captures high Calamagrostis phase (although cover is highest to the southwest, where past disturbance appears to have been more severe). Present are numerous snags, both of saplings and mid-story individuals, and many other saplings exhibit signs of severe stress, including poor crown development and low cover. Early in the growing season, oaks experienced moderate herbivory by native lepidopterans, but extent of stress suggests extensive past disturbance as well. Density of Quercus alba seedlings suggests recent mast year.
