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 Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The vegetation of this plot and surrounding area is a maturing, rich high elevation forest. Acer saccharum var. saccharum is overwhelmingly dominant, contributing about 75% of the canopy cover. Excellent recruitment and substantial cover of Acer saccharum var. saccharum in all lower vertical strata (including seedlings in the herb layer) suggest that this species will maintain long term dominance in the stand. Very robust specimens of the globally rare herb Aconitum reclinatum occur in and around the plot.
Plot location: Shenandoah National Park. Immediately north of and adjacent to the Appalachian Trail at a slope concavity 0.4 mi. NNE of Fisher's Gap.