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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
1.5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
50
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
3
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This open but nevertheless well-developed pine-oak/heath forest is notable for its scattered stems of Quercus marilandica, which abounds on Smith Mountain. Pine attains secondary importance to oak in this stand, and Pinus pungens is almost entirely absent, although it is more frequent in other stands on the flanks of this monadnock. A dense heath layer is co-dominated by Gaylussacia baccata and Vaccinium pallidum. Plot contains several large, steeply dipping (ca. 60 degrees), almost exfoliating boulders sparsely vegetated with graminoids.
0 - 2 - litter
2 - 12 - duff, thick in fine roots and partially decomposed organic matter (occasionally to 20+ cm deep)
12 - medium brown moist, silty clay loam; clay content and frequency of lenses of oxidized material increase with depth
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Robust heath layer suggests the long absence of fire.
