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 Height
15
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
20
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
20
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot was situated in a relatively large patch of frequently scoured grassland occupying a low, periodically scoured bedrock area near Black Pond and about 10 m in elevation above the Potomac River. The vegetation has distinct prairie affinities, with the characteristic grasses Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardii, Panicum virgatum, Sporobolus clandestinus, and Tripsacum dactyloides all prominent. However, this site is unusual among Potomac Gorge prairies in the dominance of Chasmantium latifolium, normally a grass of more forested habitats. Total species richness for the 400 sq. m. plot exceeds 100 taxa. The stand is slightly degraded by the presence of several invasive exotics, which are more conspicuous in early spring.