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
30
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
15
%
Nonvascular Cover
10
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The vegetation in this plot is typical of a linear band of mesophytic forest that stretches along the lowermost slopes and benches bordering the headwaters of Devils Ditch. Very dense oak/heath forests dominated by Quercus montana and Kalmia latifolia cover both flanks of this cove extending down the slopes fairly close to the stream. The mesophytic stream-bottom forest also has considerable Kalmia, but is dominated by Acer rubrum, Betula lenta, Liriodendron tulipifera, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus rubra, and Quercus alba, with scattered Tsuga canadensis (nearly all dead) and Pinus strobus also present; it also has relatively diverse understory and herbaceous composition. Within the plot area, two old canopy gaps are now filled in by young trees. A large Liriodendron occurs just outside the western boundary. The shrub and small tree layers are dense but open underneath, with very impressive specimens of Acer pensylvanicum (up to 23 cm DBH and 15 m tall), Hamamelis virginiana, and Kalmia latifolia (up to 17 cm DBH) contributed high cover.
