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
7
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
3
%
Shrub Cover
8
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
65
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot was located on a low outcrop next to and about 5 m in elevation above the Potomac River. Much of the plot area is on a flat or slightly sloping shelf, but the outcrop plunges to a low cove at the east end. This habitat, or some of it, is probably scoured every year or two. The vegetation is a species-rich, locally shrubby prairie dominated by tall, warm-season grasses. Grimmia laevigata is the dominant bryophyte on rock surfaces that are periodically wet with seepage or runoff.