Ramsey’s Draft
Location
County: Augusta
Forest: George Washington National Forest, George Washington–Jefferson National Forests
View a searchable map for Ramsey’s Draft RNA.
Related Reports and Publications
- Breil, D. A. (1973). “Two Bryophytes New to Virginia.” The Bryologist 76(2): 315.
- Fansler, W. W. (1984). A floristic study of Ramsey’s Draft Wilderness Area, Augusta County, Virginia.
- Lesure, F. G. (1982). Geochemical survey of the Ramseys Draft Addition, Augusta and Highland counties, Virginia, U. S. Geological Survey.
- Lesure, F. G. (1982). Geologic map of the Ramseys Draft Addition, Augusta and Highland counties, Virginia, U. S. Geological Survey.
- Lesure, F. G., et al. (1977). “Mineral resources of the Ramseys Draft Wilderness study area, Augusta County, Virginia.” U. S. geological survey bulletin.
- Lesure, F. G. and P. C. Mory (1981). “Mineral–resource studies in the Ramseys Draft Addition, Virginia-West Virginia.” U. S. geological survey professional paper.
- Lesure, F. G. and P. C. Mory (1982). Mineral resource potential map of the Ramseys Draft Addition, Augusta and Highland counties, Virginia, U. S. Geological Survey.
- Lesure, F. G. and J. M. Motooka (1979). “Possible stratiform–copper occurrence in Devonian rocks in Virginia.” U. s. geological survey professional paper.
- Lesure, F. G. and J. M. Motooka (1980). “Possible stratiform-copper occurrence Ramseys Draft Wilderness Study area, Augusta County, Virginia.” Southeastern geology 21(3): 227–238.
- Marsh, S. P., et al. (1984). “Ramseys Draft Wilderness Study Area and addition, Virginia.” U. S. geological survey professional paper: 1033–1034.
- Motooka, C. L., et al. (1981). “Analyses and descriptions of geochemical samples, Ramseys Draft wilderness study area and addition, Augusta and Highland counties, Virginia.” Open–file report – u. s. geological survey.
- Rawinski, T. J. F., G.P.; Judge, F.V. (1994). Forest vegetation of the Ramsey’s Draft and Little Laurel Run Research Natural Areas, Virginia: Baseline ecological monitoring and classification. Richmond, VA, Virginia Department of Conservation and Heritage, Division of Natural Heritage.
- Stevens, G. C. (1986). “Dissection of the Species–Area Relationship Among Wood–Boring Insects and Their Host Plants.” The American Naturalist 128(1): 35–46.
- Stewart, R. E. (1956). “Ecological Study of Ruffed Grouse Broods in Virginia.” The Auk 73(1): 33–41.
- United States Forest Service Southern Region. (1988). “Ramseys Draft Wilderness.” Ramseys draft wilderness 1(ma): 63–69.
Ecological and Physical Description
The area has never been cut over and is one of a few virgin Hemlock forest tracts of its size in this vicinity. However, fire has burned over the whole area in the past and it is only in the main hollows where the virgin condition has been left undisturbed, although fire has scarred the butts of many of the large trees. The ridge types have been the most seriously affected by fire damage and chestnut blight. The attack of fire and disease on the old age stands has done much to change their composition.
In Chestnut Oak forests, the ridge top soil is a reddish brown to light brown fine sandy loam, but on the lower slopes it becomes very rocky. Little humus is found except where it is deposited in the rock crevices. In Oak-Chestnut forests, the soil varies with the topography in the steep slopes the ground is very rocky, while on the wide ridge tops the soil is a deep fine sandy loam. In hemlock forests, the bottom and lower slopes are quite rocky with a shallow surface soil. Where there is a profile the soil is a reddish brown fine sandy loam. A deep accumulation of humus is present. In cove hardwoods, the soil is a light brown fine sandy loan over coarse water deposited gravel. Where the type has not been burned over heavily there is a medium to deep accumulation of duff, especially in the upper portions of the hollows where the slopes are gentle.
Flora and Fauna
Common Animal Species
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Category | At Risk | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grouse | Common Mammal Species | |||
| Squirrel | Common Mammal Species |