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
400
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
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
8
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This very steep, concave slope may have shallow soils over bedrock, at least in the downslope portion. The forest vegetation is characteristic of a specific elevation zone on the north-facing bluff bordering the Potomac River. Large-diameter Quercus montana dominate the overstory, with considerable admixture of large Liriodendron tulipifera, Fagus grandifolia and, outside the plot, Quercus rubra. Much smaller Acer saccharum dominate the understory. This plot may be part of an old-age stand; at least it appears to have remained undisturbed for a long period of time. The herbaceous flora is very distinctive and characterized by dense colonies of Eurybia divaricata, Polystichum acrostichoides, Dryopteris marginalis, and several Carex spp.