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
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
2
m
Field Height
2
m
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
65
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is located on a massive metabasalt exposure supporting patchy scrub and herbaceous vegetation. The habitat is steep but ledgey, with very irregular microtopography. Two state-rare species, Solidago randii and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, dominate the vascular vegetation. A relatively high elevation and northwest aspect subject this habitat to strong winter winds, low temperatures, and ice. Common lichens on the exposed rock surfaces include Lasallia pensylvanica, Rhizoplaca subdiscrepens, Porpidia spp., Xanthoparmelia plittii, Cladonia spp., Acaraspora fuscata, Rhizocarpon geographicum, Melanelia stygia, and many gray and whitish crusts.