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
15
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
30
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
20
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Vegetation in this plot is a high-elevation Quercus rubra-dominated forest with stunted, often deformed trees and a moderately dense herb layer dominated by Dennstaedtia punctilobula and Carex pensylvanica. This habitat may have been subject to extensive livestock grazing prior to the establishment of the Park, and is currently suffering from heavy herbivory by overpopulous white-tailed deer. Judging from the number of old logs present, Castanea dentata may have greatly dominated the forest at this site in the pre-blight era.
Plot location: on rocky hillside just north of parking area for Byrd Visitor Center at Big Meadows.