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
32
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
1
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures stand of scattered residual individuals of Quercus alba and well-developed subcanopy of Tsuga canadensis on upper slope just below crest of ridge. Understory is very open and lacks a true shrub layer. Ground cover is almost entirely absent. Tsuga canadensis is represented by a distinct cohort in the 5-10 cm size classes, but there has been virtually no recent sapling or seedling recruitment. Most trees appear healthy, and there is no obvious evidence of infestation by hemlock woolly adelgid. In contrast, somewhat taller individuals across the intermittent stream on a shallow bench below the slope have experienced crown damage and some mortality (see plot PWFP014P). Coarse woody debris abounds and comprises primarily branches < 5 cm. One Pinus virginiana snag present in plot.
Directions to plot: Follow gravel road along Chopawamsic Creek from Russell Road. Park just before fifth crossing of creek and cross creek on old concrete dam. Proceed SSW up ravine along unnamed tributary of Chopawamsic Creek. Tsuga stand begins ca. 700 m from road. Plot lies on upper slope of ridge south of ravine. Stake A stands 8.9 m @ 215 deg from Quercus alba (63 cm dbh) split ca. 2 m off ground.
