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
18
m
Shrub Height
6
m
Field Height
5
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
70
%
Field Cover
75
%
Nonvascular Cover
2
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This high-elevation, quartzitic ridgecrest is dominated by relatively small-diameter, wind-stunted northern red oaks, with occasional white, black, and chestnut oaks also present. The stand probably regenerated following the death and salvage of American chestnuts approximately 80-90 years ago. Although some oak recruitment is present, Acer rubrum is the leading sub-canopy dominant. The shrub layer is fairly diverse, with high cover contributed by Ilex montana, Hamamelis virginiana, Rhododendron calendulaceum, and R. simulatum. A dense, low clone of Vaccinium erythrocarpum dominates the herb layer.
