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
15
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
75
%
Nonvascular Cover
5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat of this plot is a low spur ridge of Tinker Mountain that is vegetated with an open pine-oak/heath woodland. A flat-lying sandstone outcrop is situated just outside the western edge of the plot, suggesting that soils are fairly shallow to bedrock. Fire has also been a factor in the past. The density of cover of Xerophyllum asphodeloides at this site is extraordinary, despite the presence of dense, patchy heaths (especially Kalmia latifolia and Pieris floribunda). Both Pinus rigida and P. virginiana may be somewhat under-represented in the plot, although P. pungens appears to be the most abundant pine throughout the stand. On the date of sampling, most deciduous woody species exhibited premature defoliation and senescence following a prolonged drought.
