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
19
m
Shrub Height
3
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
75
%
Shrub Cover
55
%
Field Cover
60
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot was placed in a dry, upper-slope forest in which Quercus montana and Quercus rubra are more or less co-dominant throughout the stand (which is extensive) and deciduous heaths form thick shrub colonies. Although none of the overstory trees were damaged, the fire burned all understory trees and shrubs to the ground. This resulted in a vigorous, multi-stem regeneration of Sassafras albidum, Acer rubrum, Acer pensylvanicum, and other trees, as well as abundant recruitment of oak seedlings. Stems of the dominant Vaccinium pallidum and V. stamineum are mostly < 0.5 m tall. Small, rocky openings in the heath thickets provide micro-habitats for a surprising number of low cover xerophytic herbs.