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
200
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
7
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
15
%
Shrub Cover
40
%
Field Cover
25
%
Nonvascular Cover
70
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot captures a stand of lithophytic woodland on a narrow, rocky crest. Much of the woodland forms a continuous patch just downslope on the steep, rocky mountain flank. On the crest, however, it occurs as small patches within a matrix of oak / heath forest on outcrops where soil development is extremely limited. The plot captures a variant in which Quercus montana dominates and Pinus spp. are relatively minor components. Vaccinium spp. and graminoids such as Schizachyrium scoparium and Deschampsia flexuosa var. flexuosa dominate the field layer. Characteristic lichens on exposed rock surfaces in the plot are Lasallia papulosa, Lasallia pensylvanica, Xanthoparmelia conspersa, Xanthoparmelia plittii, Dimelaena oreina, Aspicilia cinerea, Rhizoplaca subdiscrepens, Diploschistes muscorum, Physcia subtilis, Flavoparmelia baltimorensis, Umbilicaria mammulata, Acaraspora fuscata, and several Cladonia spp. Branches of the gnarled oaks are covered by Punctelia rudecta and Flavoparmelia caperata.