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:
Tree Cover
15
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Much of the greenstone outcrop here is nearly flat lying, an unusual situation for this region where most bedrock exposures result from erosion of steep slopes. The plot encompasses two rather distinct micro-environments: a flatrock with local gravel pockets and a lower lying bench with a thin veneer of silty clay mineral soil. The flatrock is very sparsely vegetated with Talinum teretifolium with several annuals (e.g. Polygonum tenue, Bulbostylis capillaris, Sporobolus vaginiflorus, Panicum philadelphicum) while the lower bench is dominated by perennial bunch grasses (Danthonia spicata, Bouteloua curtipendula, Muhlenbergia capillaris).
Plot location: Shenandoah NP. Exposed greenstone outcrop on slope bench ca. 0.15 mi. south of Skyline Drive and 0.2 mi. WSW of Low Gap.