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
1200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
30
m
Shrub Height
2
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
45
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Upper slope dominated by moderately sized Quercus alba with significant subcanopy component of Tsuga canadensis. Stand contains several dead oaks, including a few snags in plot, but relatively little coarse woody debris covers the ground. Tree mortality seems to have occurred 10 or more years ago and may have preceded gypsy moth outbreak in the early 1990's. Acer rubrum appears to be responding most vigorously to canopy gaps. There is no evidence of infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid. Plot size limited to 6 ares because of narrow width of ridge, variable aspect (range from 350 to 60 deg), and patchiness of vegetation.
Directions to plot: From Russel Road take MCB-1 north. Ca. 0.7 mi after crossing South Branch Chopawamsic Creek, road turns left (north); here bear right on gravel road. Just past crest of ridge, road begins to descend slightly, after a turn to the right (ESE). Look for row of Pinus virginiana seedlings on left. Park and follow ridge NE to saddle above North Branch Chopawamsic Creek. Plot lies across ravine to the SE and near top of generally north-trending ridge.
