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 Height
7
m
Tree Cover
15
%
Shrub Cover
90
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
70
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This is one of a subset of plots sampled to collect data on the distribution and ecology of Abies balsamea. The site is a steep, very bouldery, high-elevation slope supporting a scrubby Quercus rubra-dominated forest with scattered, uneven-aged Abies balsamea (all age classes from seedlings to canopy trees present). These appear to be natural, or at least completely naturalized, despite anecdotal evidence (per C.E. Stevens) that all fir on Stony Man were planted by the CCC. Thin, Betula alleghaniensis - Sorbus americana boulderfield scrub lies just downslope of the plot. Because of difficult access, a small, elongate (4 X 25m) plot was used to sample this area.
Plot location: steep, rocky slope just SSW of Stony Man Summit.