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
1000
m²
Plot Quality Fields:
Plot Validation Level
(2) classification plot: sufficient for inclusion in a classification revision
Overall Plot Vegetation Fields:
Tree Height
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
85
%
Shrub Cover
50
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This plot captures an exceptionally mature and diverse mixed mesophytic forest on a fertile, low-elevation montane site. The sample is located at the base of a moderately steep, very rocky lower slope of a prominent limestone or dolomite bluff subtending a high terrace along the New River. On the terrace side, the site borders a grassland meadow. On the bluff side, the slope steepens above the plot, although similar vegetation extends nearly to the crest, where a drier forest of oaks, sugar maple, and dry-site herbs prevails. Vegetation in the plot is characterized by a mixed forest of medium- to large-diameter Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Aesculus flava, Fraxinus americana, Carya cordiformis, Celtis occidentalis, and Acer spp. Both Acer saccharum and Acer nigrum are present and may be confused in identification. Because of the size and diversity of trees, a 1000 sq. m. releve was sampled. The herb stratum is lush and contains a variety of nutrient-demanding species. Dicentra canadensis, Cardamine concatenata, Erigenia bulbosa, and Claytonia caroliniana were dying back for the season and their cover is likely under-estimated. The cover of Laportea canadensis, Impatiens pallida, and Polymnia canadensis, which will grow much larger during the summer, is also likely under-estimated.
