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
20
m
Shrub Height
2.5
m
Field Height
3
m
Tree Cover
60
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Somewhat open forest with interrupted but nevertheless very diverse ground flora occupies the submesic to subxeric, convex slopes with eastern to southern aspects at Pinnacle NAP. This stand is located just below the crest of Copper Ridge and appears to be the most mature of the secondary forest of this portion of the preserve. Acer saccharum is the leading dominant; although present, Quercus shumardii and Carya ovata are not as abundant as initially thought. Sapling density is very high and reflects open overstory and variable canopy height, as well as former gaps. Some sapling mortality is evident throughout the stand, the cause of which is not clear. Herb layer comprises a mix of nutrient-demanding species (e.g., Polymnia canadensis) and xerophytic calciphiles (e.g., Lithospermum tuberosum). Cobbles and stones abound; many are covered with only a thin veneer of litter and other organic matter, and hence surface substrate coverage may have been underestimated.
This plot was established as a replacement for the original PINN006P, which was laid out but never completely and permanently marked. The original plot was located in a stand of Acer saccharum, Jeffersonia diphylla, and Asarum canadense on a very steep and easily erodable slope to the northeast which proved unsuitable for intensive sampling.
