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
31
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
60
%
Field Cover
30
%
Nonvascular Cover
0.5
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot located on a sharply convex ridge spur at west edge of natural area. Large hickories dominate the forest here, although several oaks are present. In other areas on the tract, Quercus alba and Quercus montana are more dominant, with hickories abundant in the understory. Throughout the stand, oak recruitment is rather poor and Fagus grandifolia and Acer rubrum have become prevalent in the understory, probably because of fire exclusion. Abundant fragments of quartz and a light-colored schist are present. A spring revisit is needed to reassess the presence and cover of herbaceous plants.
0-2 cm: leaf litter
2-3 cm: humus / root mat
3+ cm: yellow-brown loam with many small stones
Disturbance Data:
Disturbance Type
Disturbance Intensity
Disturbance Comment
unknown
One oak snag (sub-canopy) and several dogwood snags in plot. Many stump-sprouted trees (old) in stand, but not in plot. Very old pine lightwood present in plot. American chestnut sprouts in plot. Noticeable grazing on Viburnum acerifolium, Euonymus americanus, and some herbs.