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
38
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
8
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
80
%
Field Cover
70
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot placed in a broad, cove-like ravine bottom on the north side of Mount Creek at Fort A.P Hill. This site was probably cleared in the past and has fertile, mesic soils that may have weathered from a local area where calcareous shell deposits are near the surface. Soil pH, calcium, and magnesium are exceptionally high for this part of the Coastal Plain. The forest vegetation is lush and relatively species-rich. Even-aged Liriodendron tulipifera dominates the overstory, but recruitment of Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, and Carya cordiformis are rapidly attaining a position in the canopy. A host of nutrient-demanding plants are characteristic of the stand, including Juglans nigra, Lindera benzoin, Cercis candaensis, Cimicifuga racemosa, and Galearis spectabilis. The rather rare orchid Corallorhiza wisteriana occurs outside the plot. This forest is exceptionally rich for Fort A.P. Hill and the Coastal Plain, bearing strong similarities to other Coastal Plain stands that occur in shell-marl ravines. Steep slopes both to the east and west of the plot support acidic oak-beech forests more typical for the region.
