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
28
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
25
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
Plot is on a lower, concave, very bouldery slope below a limestone cliff and cave. The New River Trail, a converted railbed, and the river floodplain are located just downslope. This site supports a magnificent, mature forest of mesophytic hardwoods. Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Aesculus flava, Fraxinus americana, Magnolia acuminata, Carya cordiformis, and Liriodendron tulipifera (outside plot) form a mixed overstory. Acer saccharum dominates the understory. Despite the very rocky substrate, a lush assemblage of calciphilic and other nutrient-demanding herbs is present, e.g., Laportea canadensis, Diplazium pycnocarpon, Hydrophyllum canadense, Dicentra cucullaria, Trillium sulcatum, and many others. Cystopteris bulbifera and Sedum ternatum are common on the mossy boulders. This stand has not been disturbed for quite some time.