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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
36
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
1
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot and plot YORK004 are very similar compositionally, but occupy different portions of a (perhaps former) moisture gradient. While the two plots, which are only ca. 100 m apart, appear to differ in soil series, the behavior is opposite that predicted by the dominant vegetation. In this plot Quercus alba is the overstory dominant, which suggests more mesic conditions, yet the Tomotley series is more poorly drained than the adjacent Augusta series. Several hydrophytic oak species are present, however. Whatever the hydrologic regime at the time of stand initiation, however, it has likely been severely modified by a large network of often deep drainage ditches throughout this tract, and saturated conditions may no longer prevail. One such, relatively shallow ditch now serves as a de facto patch and runs within 20 m of the plot. Oak individuals < 40 cm dbh are virtually absent. Ground cover is very sparse and comprises primarily seedlings of overstory trees, sprawling stems of Smilax rotundifolia, and scant clumps of ferns. This northwesternmost portion of the stand is noteworthy for the stature of the overstory.
0 - 3 - leaf litter and duff
3 - 18 - medium gray sandy loam, abounding in fine and coarse roots with some organic matter
18 - 25 - light brown sandy loam, with less clay content
25 - light brown sandy clay loam, with orange mottling throughout
