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
70
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
35
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat of this plot is a northeast facing quartzite boulderfield/talus slope. Large populations of the northern plant Betula cordifolia (paper birch) and Gymnocarpon (oak fern) may be associated with cold air drainage through the rocks.
Plot location: Shenandoah NP. On upper northeast flank of a knob along the crest of Neighbor Mountain, 0.8 miles west of the junction of Neighbor Mountain Trail with the Appalachian Trail.
No profile development. A dark brown, very fine sandy loam containing a multitude of small rock fragments and roots is present locally among boulders and stones. Sample was extracted only with extreme difficulty.