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
70
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A rather diverse northern hardwood forest with a mixed canopy dominance of Acer saccharum var. saccharum, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Betula alleghaniensis and Fraxinus americana. Prominent nutrient demanding species in the herb layer (e.g., Caulophyllum thalictroides, Dryopteris goldiana, Hydrophyllum canadense, Viola canadensis var. canadensis) suggest relatively high soil fertility. A spring survey would no doubt reveal additional species and a higher cover of Caulophyllum thalictroides. Enormous numbers of Acer saccharum seedlings occur in this plot.
North slope of Elk Ridge, ca. 0.4 mi southeast of Grindstone Campground. Plot is located just upslope of the Mount Rogers Trail in a prominent slope concavity.