Dismal Hollow
Location
County: Newton Co.
Forest: Ozark–St. Francis National Forest
District: Buffalo Ranger District
SAF Cover Types
- beech – sugar maple: 60
- white oak – black oak – northern red oak: 52
- white oak: 53
- shortleaf pine: 75
Ecological and Physical Description
Located within and adjacent to Dismal Hollow and Gladon Creek canyons, with deeply incised drainages. One of best examples of relict mixed mesophytic forests in the Ozarks.
Two steep canyon-like ravines bounded by spectacular, near-vertical bluffs; Beech-Sugar Maple, several sensitive plant species and communities, French's shooting star.
Annual precipitation averages 54.8 in (139.2 cm), including average annual snowfall of 11 in (27.9 cm).
The nearest weather station is at Devil’s Knob, 11 miles southwest of the RNA.
Dismal Hollow RNA is made up of two steep canyon-like ravines formed by long term stream erosion of the geologic surface by the Dismal and Gladon Creek Systems. The area is bounded by spectacular near vertical 60 to 80 foot high bluffs formed by erosion of the middle Bloyd sandstone. Erosion of geologic material at the base of the bluffs has formed the many shelter caves once inhabited by prehistoric Indians.
Dismal and Gladon Creeks are included in the RNA. The area is partly bounded on the north and east by the East Fork of the Little Buffalo River.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fagus grandfolia | American beech | Plant Communities | ||
| Quercus rubra | Northern red oak | Plant Communities | ||
| Magnolia acuminata | Cucumbertree | Plant Communities | ||
| Tilia americana | American basswood | Plant Communities | ||
| Fraxinus americana | White ash | Plant Communities | ||
| Fraxinus pennsylvanica | Greenash | Plant Communities | ||
| Liquidambar styracif1ua | Sweetgum | Plant Communities | ||
| Cornus alternifolia | Alternate leaved dogwood | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Disporum lanuginosum | Yellow mandarin | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Dodecatheon frenchii | French's shooting star | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Lycopodium lucidulum | Shining clubmoss | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Trandescantia ozarkana | Ozark spiderwort | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Trichomanes boschianum | Bristlefern | At Risk Species | ✔ | |
| Cornus florida | Dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Magnolia tripetala | Umbrella magnolia | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Asimina triloba | Pawpaw | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Carpinus caroliniana | American hornbeam | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Ostrya virginiana | Eastern hophornbean | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Lindera benzoin | Spicebush | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Rhamnus caroliniana | Carolina buckthorn | Common Shrub Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sciurus carolinensis | Grey squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| S. niger | Fox squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Odocoileus virginiana | White-tailed deer | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Glaucomys volans | Southern flying squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Ursus americanus | Black bear | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Procyon lotor | Raccoon | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Lynx rufus | Bobcat | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Didelphis virginiana | Opossum | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sylvilagus floridanus | Cottontail rabbit | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Canus latrans | Coyote | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Dasypus novemcintus | Armadillo | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Cardinalis cardinalis | Northern cardinal | Common Bird Species | ||
| Cyanocitta cristata | Bluejay | Common Bird Species | ||
| Parus bicolor | Tufted titmouse | Common Bird Species | ||
| Junco hyemalis | Dark eyed junco | Common Bird Species | ||
| Parus carolinensis | Carolina chickadee | Common Bird Species | ||
| Meleagris gallopavo | Wild turkey | Common Bird Species | ||
| Colinus virginianus | Bobwhite quail | Common Bird Species | ||
| Bubo virginianus | Great horned owl | Common Bird Species | ||
| Strix varia | Barred owl | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo lineatus | Red shouldered hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Buteo Jamaicensis | Red tailed hawk | Common Bird Species | ||
| Caprimulgus carolinensis | Chuck Will's widow | Common Bird Species | ||
| Caprimulgus vociferus | Whip poor will | Common Bird Species |