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
100
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A high elevation granitic barren characterized by a patchwork of scrubby pine-heath thickets and localized herbaceous mats dominated by Deschampsia flexuosa var. flexuosa, Solidago puberula var. puberula, Saxifraga michauxii, Minuartia groenlandica, etc. The herbaceous mats have been nearly eliminated by years of trampling at this popular hiking destination.
Plot location: Shenandoah NP. NW edge of the western, slightly lower "summit" of Old Rag Mountain.
No soil development except on one ledge/mat. A few moss/organic matter accumulations and gravel mats present. Soils sample consists of mixed organic rich and fine gravel fragments.