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:
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat is a very bouldery, north facing ravine slope supporting a relatively mature eastern hemlock-birch forest. Infestation by hemlock wooly adelgid (Adelges tsugae) is in a relatively early stage at this site, but has already killed scattered hemlocks in the stand. The eventual mortality of all the larger hemlocks here will result in dramatic compositional changes.
No profile development. Humus and organic rich colluvial soil present in pockets between stone and boulders.
Colluvial land, extremely stony (1975 soil survey).
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Adelgid in relatively early stages of infestation.