U.S. Forest Service Research Natural Areas and Protection of Old Growth in the South

Much of the old-growth forest in the southern United States is on the national forests. The U.S. Forest Service Research Natural Area (RNA) Program is one method for protecting old growth at the same time as making it available for scientific studies and educational purposes. This paper discusses the RNA program and describes several oldgrowth forests in the RNA system: the Red Gum, Overcup Oak, and Green Ash Research Natural Areas, three remnants of virgin forests in the Mississippi River floodplain; the Bee Branch RNA, a disjunct eastern hemlock and beech community in northern Alabama; and the Roaring Branch RNA, an old-growth hardwood and shortleaf pine forest in western Arkansas.