Harrison
Location
County: Harrison Co.
Forest: National Forests in Mississippi — De Soto National Forest
District: Harrison Experimental Forest
View a searchable map for the Harrison RNA.
Related Reports and Publications
- Devall, M.S., J.M. Grender and J.Koretz. 1991. Dendroecological analysis of a longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) forest in Mississippi. Vegetatio 93(1):1-8.
Ecological and Physical Description
Former beach of Mississippi Sound covered by deep white sand. Overstory mostly composed of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) with scattered individuals of other species.
Annual precipitation is 67.72 in (172.01 cm). Rainfall is generally heaviest during July-September and lightest during October-November.
The nearest weather station is the Saucier Weather Station, 1.3 miles northeast of the RNA.
The subject tract is underlain by the Pliocene aged Citronelle Formation and the Miocene aged Pascagoula Formation and is typical of the Gulf Coastal Plain geologic province. Structural elements in the area are the Higgins anticline to the north and Hancock Ridge to the west. The strike of these formations is generally east–west and their dip is to the south toward the Gulf of Mexico. The Citronelle consists primarily of river terrace deposits of interbedded sand, gravel and clay which are typically brick red in color. Sediments of the Pascagoula Formation consist of interbedded fine–grained silty sands, silts and sandy clays which are usually orange in color.
No information is available.
Flora and Fauna
Common Plant Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinus palustris | Longleaf pine | Plant Communities | The RNA is composed of an undisturbed stand of longleaf pine, which comprises 90% of the overstory. It is in the western portion of the species’ range. This is a second-generation forest which came in following clearcutting in the 1920s. |
|
| Quercus falcata | Southern red oak | Plant Communities | ||
| Q. stellata | Post oak | Plant Communities | ||
| Q. stellata var. margaretta | Sand post oak | Plant Communities | ||
| Q. laurifolia | Laurel oak | Plant Communities | ||
| Q. marilandica | Blackjack oak | Plant Communities | ||
| Vaccinium spp. | Ericaceous shrubs | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Cornus florida | Dogwood | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Sassafras albidum | Sassafras | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Ilex vomitoria | Yaupon | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Myrica cerifera | Wax myrtle | Common Shrub Species | ||
| Serenoa repens | Saw palmetto | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Rhexia allifanus | Meadow beauty | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Licania michauxii | Gopher apple | Common Herbaceous Species | ||
| Calamintha coccinea | Common Herbaceous Species |
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gopherus polyphemus | Gopher tortoise | At Risk Species | ✔ | This is excellent habitat for the federal threatened and state endangered gopher tortoise. |
| Pituophis melanoleucus | Black pine snake | At Risk Species | ✔ | This is excellent habitat for the state endangered black pine snake. |
| Aimophila aestivalis | Bachmann's sparrow | At Risk Species | ✔ | Bachmann’s sparrow, a state endangered species, has been sighted on the Harrison RNA. |
| Sciurus niger | Fox squirrel | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Sorex longirostris | Southeastern shrew | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Peromyscus polionotus | Oldfield mouse | Common Mammal Species | ||
| Falco sparverius | American kestrel | Common Bird Species | ||
| Bubo virginianus | Great horned owl | Common Bird Species | ||
| Melanerpes erythrocephalus | Red headed woodpecker | Common Bird Species | ||
| Myiarchus crinitus | Great crested flycatcher | Common Bird Species | ||
| Parvus bicolor | Tufted titmouse | Common Bird Species | ||
| Lanius ludovicianus | Loggerhead strike | Common Bird Species | ||
| Dendroica pinus | Pine warbler | Common Bird Species | ||
| Piranga rubra | Summer tanager | Common Bird Species |