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
34
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
75
m
Tree Cover
80
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
70
%
Nonvascular Cover
20
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
The habitat and vegetation of this plot is similar to those of WASH002. The two samples are both located in sheltered coves on the same north-facing slope of Clinch Mountain. The substrate is calcareous red siltstone of the Juniata Formation. This plot is dominated by large Aesculus flava and Fraxinus americana, with Acer saccharum common in the understory. A very large, leaning Tilia americana var. heterophylla overhangs the plot. The herb layer is lush with nutrient-demanding forbs but is being invaded by the exotic Alliaria petiolata, which is more abundant downslope in areas actively grazed by cattle. Notably, there are no true shrubs in the plot.