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
90
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A heavily Fagus grandifolia dominated northern hardwood forest with dense shrub layer of Fagus and Acer pensylvanicum saplings. Stands of similar composition occupy most convex middle and upper slopes of the Elk Ridge/Mount Rogers area. The herbaceous layer of the plot is characterized by locally dense patches of Carex lucorum var austrolucorum and Huperzia lucidula, but is otherwise very sparse.
North slope of Elk Ridge, ca. 0.3 mi south of Grindstone Campground. Plot is located just west of a major switchback in the Mount Rogers Trail, where the trail turns sharply to the east to traverse the north slope of the ridge.