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
30
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
75
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a distinct vegetation zone on a very steep upper slope and strongly convex, upper slope/ crest transition. The soil here is probably shallow to bedrock, which crops out on the slope below. The forest is characterized by large-diameter oaks and hickories, with an understory of maples (both Acer rubrum and Acer saccharum). The shrub flora is diverse, and the herbaceous flora distinctive. Carex communis, Carex platyphylla, Eurybia divaricata, Polystichum acrostichoides, and Dryopteris marginalis appear to be particularly abundant and characteristic of this type of habitat and vegetation.