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
32
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot captures forest vegetation in a shallow, dry-mesic ravine head that is more mesophytic and diverse than the oak/heath forest of adjacent upper slopes. The plot placement does not adequately capture the abundance of Quercus alba in this habitat, but was the best compromise that avoided downed trees or silviculturally manipulated stands. Hickories and a large Quercus velutina dominate the overstory, while younger Liriodendron tulipifera, Fraxinus americana, Acer rubrum, and Nyssa sylvatica have recruited into several old canopy gaps. Soil samples collected here have very high Mn and higher pH, Ca, and Mg than most soils in Prince-Edward Gallion State Forest, which likely explains the presence of several nutrient-demanding species (e.g., Cercis canadensis, Cimicifuga racemosa). A spring visit to this plot might capture additional, ephemeral herbs that would not have been visible on the date of sampling.