Intensive 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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
21
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
5
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Very unusual vegetation consists of mostly pole-sized Tsuga canadensis over extraordinarily diverse herb layer dominated by Meehania cordata and Iris cristata. Stands of Tsuga are generally small, localized, and not especially old at Pinnacle NAP, where they occur chiefly on lower slopes adjacent to Big Cedar Creek. Structurally this stand is not the most well-developed example, but floristically it is the richest and most distinctive yet encountered. In addition to the northwestern aspect, the deep gorge of Big Cedar Creek creates heavily sheltered topography. Stand has experienced some disturbance within the last 10 yr. Plot was laid out such that tip-up mound
and downed bole (and small gap) would fall in residual modules, just beyond Stake D. Small boulders and large cobbles outcrop locally, creating microtopographic variation and substrate for lithophytic species, notably Cystopteris bulbifera, Iris, and moss spp. No evidence of any infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid. Despite remarkable diversity, several nutrient-demanding herbs present farther upslope beneath deciduous canopy (see Plot PINN002P) are absent here, including Jeffersonia diphylla, Euphorbia purpurea, and Hydrastis canadensis. Gary Fleming reported encountering similar vegetation on a similar landform in Giles County.
From Tilia americana flagged ca. 1 m off ground (both boles flagged; two of three sprouts in clump): 6.4 @ 145 deg to stake A.
