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:
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
1
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot located in part of a small, original growth stand that is now in serious decline. Many if not most, of the magnificent Tsuga canadensis which co-dominate the stand have died as a result of hemlock wooly adelgid infestation. Co-dominant Picea rubens and Betula allegheniensis have also suffered mortality, possibly due to air pollution. The shrub layer of this forest is dominated by dense thickets of Rhododendron maximum and herbaceous plants are extremely scarce. It was very difficult to extract a soil sample. Slope varies within plot; slopes measure 15 and 25 degrees, and axis along stream measures 10 degrees. Rhododendron maximum stems tallied in 200 sq. m subsample.
Plot located in Mountain Lake area, on slopes flanking War Spur Branch between War Spur and Salt Pond Mountain, just east (downstream) from the War Spur Trail.
