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
100
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
5
m
Shrub Cover
65
%
Field Cover
5
%
Nonvascular Cover
60
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
A high-elevation shrublandon the north side of the Old Rag crest. The shrubland forms a dense patch in a cleft between two massive outcrops and is probably blasted by strong winter winds and ice. A sparse herbaceous flora grows mainly in protected spots underneath the shrubs. A variety of mosses (Polytrichum spp., cf. Bryum sp., Mnium sp.) also grows in the protected microhabitats. Conspicuous lichens on the exposed rock surfaces include Lasallia pensylvanica, L. papulosa, Umibilcaria mammulata, Fuscidea recensa, Melanelia culbersonii, Xanthoparmelia plittii, Acaraspora fuscata, Flavoparmelia baltimorensis, Dimelaena oreina, and Cladonia spp.
No soil collected; substrate is entirely bedrock or organic matter.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
A popular hiking trail is located a few meters from the south edge of the plot. One ledge on the east end of the plot exhibits some minor trampling damage.
