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
17
m
Shrub Height
4
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
65
%
Shrub Cover
8
%
Field Cover
45
%
Nonvascular Cover
15
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot captures a shale barren co-dominated by stunted Pinus virginia and hardwoods. It is an unusual shale barren because of its occurrence on a relatively gentle, upper-slope site well away from downcutting streams. Much of the surrounding ridge is capped with extensive sandstone rubble which, for reasons that are unclear, has sloughed off the southwest-facing side of Peach Orchard Gap, exposing the underlying Martinsburg shale. No strict shale endemics are present, but composition is similar to other shale barrens in the Massanutten Mountains, although herbaceous species have somewhat higher cover than in a typical shale barren. This site was heavily burned within the past ~ five years. In some areas, the fire reached the crowns of trees, resulting in extensive mortality of Pinus virginiana. All shrubs were burned to the ground and were in a low, vigorously regenerating stage of growth at the time of sampling.
