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
1
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
85
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The north end of Pearis Mountain below Angels Rest is underlain by calcareous red siltstone of the Juniata Formation and supports rich, mesophytic forest except where white sandstone crops out at and just below the crest. Much of the rich forest stand is disturbed and contains an abundance of garlic mustard and other exotics. This plot was placed in a small area that was relatively free of exotics. Sugar maple strongly dominates the overstory and understory, with scattered basswood, cucumber magnolia, bitternut hickory, red oak, and white ash associated. Notably, yellow buckeye (abundant downslope) is absent. The shrub layer is sparse and the herb layer is dominated by a profusion of spring ephemerals and other nutrient-demanding forbs.
