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
24
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. This is a post-logging forest with overstory dominance shared by Quercus alba and Q. coccinea, and a dense shrub layer dominated by Gaylussacia baccata. Pinus rigida was formerly a associate tree, but all specimens were killed by a southern pine beetle outbreak ca. 10 years ago. This forest has been subject to past disturbances by cutting and fire.
Plot location: 0.3 mi. WNW of jct. of Rtes. 659 and 663 and south of Mt. Vernon Church.