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
25
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
65
%
Field Cover
8
%
Nonvascular Cover
1
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The vegetation in this plot contrasts sharply with the prevailing rich, mixed mesophytic forests on the north slope of Pearis Mountain below Angels Rest (see plot GILE007). Confined a strongly convex, middle-slope ridge spur with extremely acidic, nutrient-poor soils, the forest here is a dry-mesic, oak-dominated stand with a sparse herb layer. Quercus montana is the leading canopy dominant, with Q. rubra also present in considerable numbers. Younger oak recruitment is relatively low, and Acer rubrum greatly dominates the understory and small-tree density. This stand has a rather dense shrub layer composed largely of small-diameter (< 2.5 cm DBH) Acer pensylvanicum seedings and saplings, Oxydendrum arboreum saplings, and low colonies of Vaccinium pallidum. The herb layer contains scattered patches and individuals of dry-site forbs and graminoids.