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
33
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
1
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
10
%
Field Cover
80
%
Nonvascular Cover
40
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This stand is a classic, mature, Southern Appalachian rich cove forest characterized by a mixed overstory of Acer saccharum, Aesculus flava, Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Carya cordiformis, and other mesophytic trees. Fertile, calcareous soils weathered from red siltstone of the Juniata Formation have a major influence on vegetation composition here. The herb layer contains a profusion of nutrient-demanding forbs and spring ephemerals, including Laportea canadensis, Dicentra canadensis, Cimicifuga racemosa, Viola canadensis, Hydrophyllum canadense, Trillium sulcatum, Allium tricoccum, and Impatiens pallida. The vegetation covers most of the middle to upper, northwest slope of Morris Knob, excepting the driest convexities.