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
32
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
95
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
6
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot documents part of a large and relatively mature eastern hemlock - hardwood forest occupying a west- to north-facing bluff subtended by the North Meherring River. The greatest density of hemlock is on the steeper terrain close to the river, but scattered hemlocks occur well upslope in younger stands of predominately hardwoods. The plot is located on a convex, west-facing part of the bluff where large hemlock constitutes ca. 50% of the basal area. Large beech, white oak, and northern red oak are associated, while Kalmia latifolia dominates the understory. The upslope part of the plot is relatively gentle, while the west and north sides plunge steeply toward the confluence of the river and a deep ravine. A shortleaf pine (32.5 cm DBH) 10 m upslope of the plot was cored by Tom Dierauf and determined to be about 145 years old. Originating about the time of the Civil War, this tree went through several periods of very slow growth. Since this species is very intolerant of shade, the tree cannot be younger than the hemlocks and hardwoods growing around it. They all probably originated after a harvest cut. The trees on the steep west and north edges of the plot are larger and much older, some of them perhaps 200 years or more (T. Dierauf, pers. comm.).
Surficial litter variable over plot, 0 to 3 cm deep.
O horizon = 0 to 2 cm.
A horizon = light yellowish to whitish silt loam, very fine with many stones.
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
One small Oxydendrum arboreum snag in plot. Impacted by logging more than 100 years ago, but no other recent disturbance (except hemlock adelgid). Although present, the adelgid has not caused major defoliation at this site and all hemlock trees in the plot had the majority of their needles intact.
