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:
Tree Height
10
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
45
%
Shrub Cover
25
%
Field Cover
35
%
Nonvascular Cover
50
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Thinly wooded area at west end of a large cliff on slope flanking the upper part of Field Hollow. The sampling site encompasses two ledges separated by a near-vertical face approximately 1.5 m high. This area transitions to the east into more open cliff vegetation of similar composition. Moss mats and thin pockets of colluvium support most of the vascular plants in the plot. The putatively exotic grass Poa compressa is one of the most abundant herbs. Some Alliaria petiolata has invaded the deepest colluvium on the lower ledge.
Leaf litter and thin colluvium accumulated from upslope are locally present on the two ledges of this site. Colluvium is dark brown, organic-rich loam.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
Poa compressa and Alliaria petiolata are both problematic exotics in this very remote stand. The abundance of these species here cannot be explained by past disturbance or proximity to a home site.