Burke Branch
Location
Ecological and Physical Description
The Burke Branch RNA contains relatively undisturbed examples of dry upland forest, dry-mesic upland forest, and mesic upland forest natural community types. A small remnant of the mesic barrens natural community, a type that is very rare in the midwest, is also present. Three Illinois Endangered species are present within the RNA: beard-grass (Gymnopogon ambiguus), loosestrife (Lysimachia fraseri), star chickweed (Stellaria pubera). Three state Threatened species are present as well: golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis), grass-leaved lily (Stenanthium gramineum), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolium).
Annual precipitation averages 46 inches (116 cm) and ranges between 32 and 70 inches (81.2-177 cm). Precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual snowfall ranges from 10 to 15 inches (25.4-38.1 cm).
The closest weather station is at New Burnside, IL, which is 30 miles (48.3 km) north-northwest of the RNA.
Pleistocene loess, with a uniform silty texture, mantles the upland and forms much of the soil on the slopes. Mounds brown chert gravels underlie the loess on the hill tops and ridge crests. The Tar Springs Sandstone is found on the upper or midslopes. The Glen Dean Formation limestone and shale is present, but is rarely exposed. Soils in the area are derived primarily from the loess. Belknap silt loam is found along Burke Creek, and Burnside silt loam occurs as a narrow band along the valley bottoms in the two main tributaries of Burke Creek. Wellston-Berks complex is found on the south edge of the RNA and in ravines and slopes of the southwest corner of the area. Zanesville soils are found on the south-facing upper slopes. Hosmer silt loam occurs as very narrow bands along ridge crests.
Burke Creek is part of the Big Grand Pierre-Big Creek Stream System. The two main branches of Burke Creek display a sharp contrast in the beds of the channels. The north fork has sandstone and limestone boulders and cobbles, while the bed of the south fork consists largely of pebbles.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cornus florida | Flowering dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Carpinus caroliniana | hornbeam | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Rhus copallina | shining sumac | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Corylus americana | American hazel-nut | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Sassafras albidum | sassafras | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Vaccinium arboreum | farkleberry | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Gymnopogon ambiguus | Beard-grass | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Rhynchospora capitellata | beak-rush | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Lonicera japonica | Japanese honeysuckle | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Andropogon sp. | bluestem | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Desmodium sp. | tick-trefoil | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Solidago sp. | goldenrod | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Helianthus divaricatus | divaricate sunflower | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Smilax bona-nox | greenbrier | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Cimicifuga rubifolia | Appalachian bugbane | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Lysimachia sp. | loosestrife | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Stellaria pubera | star chickweed | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Hydrastis canadensis | golden seal | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Stenanthium gramineum | grass leaved lily | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Panax quinquefolims | American ginseng | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Odocoileus virginianus | White-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Canis latrans | coyote | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Urocyon cinereoargenteus | grey fox | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Procyon lotor | raccoon | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Didelphis virginiana | opossum | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Tamiasciurus hudsonicus | red squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Lanius ludovicianus | Loggerhead shrike | Common Bird Species | ||
| Thryomanes bewickii | Bewick’s wren | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo lineatus | red-shouldered hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Accipiter cooperii | Cooper’s hawk | Common Bird Species |