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
38
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
70
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat is a very bouldery, mesic slope supporting a relatively mature forest dominated by Liriodendron tulipifera and Quercus rubra. A younger cohort of Carya ovalis and Fraxinus americana suggests future successional directions. High surface cover of boulders appears to limit herbaceous cover and diversity, although interstitial colluvial soils are fertile (high Ca, Mg, Mn).
Plot location: ca. 0.2 mi. WSW of the confluence of two branches of Keyser Run in Little Devil Stairs, ca. 0.8 mi. NW of parking area at terminus of Rt. 614.