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 RNA: Reed Brake
State: Alabama
County: Bibb County
Forest: Talladega National Forest, National Forests in Alabama
District: Oakmulgee Ranger District
Established: 1975; Acres: 598
To view Establishment records for Reed Brake RNA in PDF format, Click Here
Click here, to view a searchable map for the Reed Brake RNA
Ecological/Physical Description:
Physical and Climatic Conditions
Nearest weather station, with distance and direction from RNA: The nearest weather station is at Centreville. The length of the record is 59 years.
Annual precipitation (type, seasonal distribution): The mean annual precipitation is 55 inches.
Maximum and minimum temperatures: The mean annual temperature is 64°F.
Elevation: 300 – 500 ft.
Geology and Soils: The RNA is in the Clayhills Region of the Hilly Coastal Plain Province. Parent materials are bedded sands, clays and gravels of the Tuscaloosa Formation of the upper Cretaceous. Soils are usually of theBoswell, Luverne and related series.
Aquatic Features: The entire RNA is dissected by steep drainageways that are usually dry, leading west to southwest from the main north – south ridge to Mayfield Creek. The area lies in the South Fork Sandy Creek watershed.
Biological Information
Plant Communities: In addition to longleaf pine (Pinus palustris), hardwoods include blackjack oak (Quercus marilandica), post oak (Q. stellata), southern red oak (Q. falcata) and mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa). In the coves and drainages a variety of tree species occur: post oak, white oak (Q. alba), mockernut hickory, southern red oak, and swamp chestnut oak (Q. prinus).
SAF Cover Types:
Longleaf pine (SAF type 70, 419 ac)
Red oak – white oak – hickory (SAF type 52, 179 ac)
At Risk Species: Two active nests of the Red-cockaded woodpecker (Picoides borealis) were noted on the site. Rudbeckia mollis is a species of special concern.
Common Shrub Species:
Common Herbaceous Species: cane (Arundinaria sp.) is common in the drainage understory.
Common Mammal Species:
| Scientific Name |
Common Name |
| |
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| Odocoileus virginianus |
White-tailed deer |
| Meleagris gallopavo |
Wild turkey |
| Procyon lotor |
Raccoon |
| Sciurus carolinensis |
Eastern gray squirrel |
Common Bird Species:
Red–cockaded woodpecker Leuconotopicus borealis
Related Reports and Publications:
Additional reports and publications can also be found by clicking on the “RNA Publications and Products” link in the site menu or by clicking here.
Beckett, S.W. 1980. An ecological study of the Reed Brake Research Natural Area, Alabama. Ms. Thesis, Auburn University, Auburn, AL. 131 pp.
Beckett, S. and Golden 1982. Forest vegetation and vascular flora of Reed Brake Research
Natural Area, Alabama. Castanea 47(4): 368-392.
Last Modified: 1/14/2016 by Margaret Devall (mdevall@fs.fed.us)
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