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
32
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
75
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a rich, densely shrubby boulderfield occupying relatively fine, weathered talus. The site is on a lower slope bordering the Potomac River floodplain, with large outcrops of the Sykesville Formation above. A linear (10 x 40 m) configuration was employed to retain environmental and compositional homogeneity. Although this plot is quite representative of Potomac Gorge boulderfields, blow-downs and light gaps have stimulated the invasion of Alliaria petiolata, which is capable of thriving even in the thin bouldery soils.