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
25
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
35
%
Field Cover
55
%
Nonvascular Cover
4
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot is representative of mixed Quercus rubra - Quercus montana / heath forests that cover extensive areas on the gentler, convex upper and middle slopes in the southern part of Shenandoah National Park. Despite very tough, rocky soils and the fact that colonial ericads have high cover in both the shrub and herb layers, a surprising diversity of low-cover herbaceous species was recorded. These tend to be concentrated in small openings among the heaths and especially around mossy tree bases where competition is reduced. The number and size of American chestnut sprouts in this stand suggests that Castanea dentata was once a major overstory tree in this vegetation.