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
400
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
33
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
90
%
Shrub Cover
15
%
Field Cover
55
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is representative of a somewhat variable, mesophytic forest occupying the south flank of the lower Rose River hollow in Shenandoah National Park. The sample is located on the lowermost slope and toe-like terrace near the stream and has a relatively well developed herb layer dominated by Dennsstaedtia punctilobula and Eurybia divaricata. Tsuga canadensis was not a very important tree in this part of the stand, but large snags and canopy gaps from adelgid-killed trees are present elsewhere in the hollow. The underlying granitic substrate produces soils of intermediate fertility; hence, some typical "rich" cove species, e.g., Acer saccharum and Tilia americana, are present in low numbers.
