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
19
m
Shrub Height
5
m
Field Height
7
m
Tree Cover
70
%
Shrub Cover
20
%
Field Cover
90
%
Nonvascular Cover
4
%
Misc Fields:
Observation Narrative
This stand is a classic, high-elevation, Quercus rubra-dominated forest with relatively old oaks, a patchy understory, and an herb layer densely co-dominated by Dennstaedtia punctilobula and Carex pensylvanica. Compared with plot GRNF011, the stand is much more open, lacks a strong evergreen component, and shows more evidence of historical disturbances. Some of the large oaks appear to be at least partly open-grown, suggesting past clearing and/or livestock grazing. Selective herbivory by abundant white-tailed deer may be partly responsible for the current herbaceous composition and its dominance by unpalatable ferns and sedges.