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 Height
25
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
50
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The plot is located in xeric, infertile "flatwoods" characteristic of the alluvial fan terrain at the western foot of the Blue Ridge in Augusta and Rockingham Counties. Six oaks (Quercus alba, Q. coccinea, Q. velutina, Q. falcata, Q. stellata, and Q. ilicifolia) occur in the plot, which also features high cover of deciduous ericads (particularly Gaylussacia baccata and Vaccinium pallidum). Pinus rigida was formerly
an overstory associate in this forest, but most trees were killed by an outbreak of southern pine beetles ca. 10 years ago. This forest has been subject to past disturbances by cutting and fire.
Plot location: ca. 45m E of Rt. 661 and just south of the Augusta/Rockingham county line.