United States

Department of

Agriculture

Forest Service

Pacific Northwest

Research Station

General Technical

Report

PNW-GTR-730

September 2007

Forest Peak Research

Natural Area: Guidebook

Supplement 33

Reid Schuller and Ronald L. Exeter
The Forest Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the

principle of multiple use management of the Nation’s forest resources for sustained yields of wood, water, forage, wildlife, and recreation. Through forestry

research, cooperation with the States and private forest owners, and management of the national forests and national grasslands, it strives—as directed by

Congress—to provide increasingly greater service to a growing Nation.

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programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability,

and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion,

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and TDD).

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1400 Independence Avenue, S.W. Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-

3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and

employer.

Authors

Reid Schuller is a consulting plant ecologist living in Bend, Oregon; Ronald L.

Exeter is a botanist, Salem District, Marys Peak Resource Area, U.S. Bureau of

Land Management, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 97306.

The PNW Research Station is publishing this guidebook as part of a continuing

series of guidebooks on federal research natural areas begun in 1972.

Cover

Steep slopes of Forest Peak RNA with grass meadow vegetation and Oregon white

oak (Quercus garryana) coppice in mid-ground and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga

menziesii) in background. Dominant ground cover is a mixture of native and

nonnative grasses. The northern ridgeline boundary of Forest Peak is on the upper

right.
Abstract

Schuller, Reid; Exeter, Ronald L. 2007. Forest Peak Research Natural Area:

guidebook supplement 33. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-730. Portland, OR:

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research

Station. 23 p.

This guidebook describes the Forest Peak Research Natural Area (RNA), a 62.8-ha

(153.3-ac) tract containing a mature Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest and

a grass bald within the Willamette Valley Foothill Ecoregion. Forest Peak RNA also

contains an undisturbed third-order stream reach.

Keywords: Research natural area, Douglas-fir forest, Oregon Coast Range,

Willamette Valley foothill forest, grassland meadow, grass bald, third-order stream

Preface

The research natural area (RNA) described in this supplement1 is administered by

the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Department of the Interior. The

BLM Salem District office has RNA program administrative responsibility and the

Marys Peak Resource Area has on-the-ground management responsibility for the

RNA. Scientists and educators wishing to visit or use the RNA for scientific or

educational purposes should contact the resource area field manager in advance and

provide information about research or educational objectives, sampling procedures,

and other prospective activities. Research projects, educational visits, and collection

of specimens from the RNA all require prior approval. There may be limitations on

research or educational activities.

Forest Peak RNA is part of a federal system of such tracts established for research and educational purposes. Each RNA constitutes a site where natural features

are protected or managed for scientific purposes and natural processes are allowed

to dominate. Their main purposes are to provide:

• Baseline areas against which effects of human activities can be measured or

compared.

• Sites for study of natural processes in undisturbed ecosystems.

• Gene pool preserves for all types of organisms, especially rare and

endangered types.

1

 Supplement No. 33 to Franklin, J.F.; Hall, F.C.; Dyrness, C.T.; Maser, C. 1972. Federal

research natural areas in Oregon and Washington: a guidebook for scientists and educators.

Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest

and Range Experiment Station. 498 p.
The federal system is outlined in A Directory of the Research Natural Areas on

Federal Lands of the United States of America.2

Of the 96 federal RNAs established in Oregon and Washington, 45 are described

in Federal Research Natural Areas in Oregon and Washington: A Guidebook for

Scientists and Educators (see footnote 1). Supplements to the guidebook such as

this publication constitute additions to the system.

The guiding principle in management of RNAs is to prevent unnatural encroachments or activities that directly or indirectly modify ecological processes or

conditions. Logging and uncontrolled grazing are not allowed, for example, nor is

public use that might impair scientific or educational values. Management practices

necessary to maintain or restore ecosystems may be allowed.

Federal RNAs provide a unique system of publicly owned and protected examples of undisturbed ecosystems where scientists can conduct research with

minimal interference and reasonable assurance that investments in long-term studies

will not be lost to logging, land development, or similar activities. In return, a

scientist wishing to use an RNA is obligated to:

• Obtain permission from the appropriate administering agency before using

the area.3

• Abide by the administering agency’s regulations governing use, including

specific limitations on the type of research, sampling methods, and other

procedures.

• Inform the administering agency on progress of the research, published

results, and disposition of collected materials.

The purpose of these limitations is to:

• Ensure that the scientific and educational values of the tract are not

impaired.

• Accumulate a documented body of knowledge and information about

the tract.

• Avoid conflict between studies and activities.

2

 Federal Committee on Ecological Reserves. 1977. A directory of the research natural

areas on federal lands of the United States of America. Washington, DC: U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service. 280 p.

3

 Six federal agencies cooperate in this program in the Pacific Northwest: U.S. Department

of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Park

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service; U.S. Department of Energy; and

U.S. Department of Defense.
Research must be essentially nondestructive; destructive analysis of vegetation is

generally not allowed, nor are studies requiring extensive modification of the forest

floor or extensive excavation of soil. Collection of plant and animal specimens

should be restricted to the minimum necessary to provide voucher specimens and

other research needs. Under no circumstances may collecting significantly reduce

populations of species. Collecting also must be carried out in accordance with

agency regulations. Within these broad guidelines, appropriate uses of RNAs are

determined by the administering agency.

Salem BLM management direction is to preserve, protect, or restore native

species composition and ecological processes of biological communities (including

terrestrial and aquatic cells4

 listed in the 2003 Oregon Natural Heritage Plan). These

RNAs are available for short- or long-term scientific study, research, and education

and will serve as a baseline against which human impacts on natural systems can be

measured. The Marys Peak Resource Area does not issue special forest product

permits within RNAs.

4

 Cells are the basic units that must be represented in a natural area system. A cell can

be an ecosystem, community, habitat, or organism. Taken from Dyrness, C.T.; Franklin,

J.F.; Maser, C.; Cook, S.A.; Hall, J.D.; Faxon, G. 1975. Research natural area needs in

the Pacific Northwest: a contribution to land-use planning. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-38.

Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest

and Range Experiment Station. 231 p.
Contents

1 Introduction

2 Access and Accommodations

3 Environment

5 Climate

6 Vegetation

10 Fauna

10 Disturbance History

12 Research History

12 Maps and Aerial Photography

12 Acknowledgments

13 English Equivalents

13 References

15 Appendix 1: Plants

20 Appendix 2: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and Mammals
1

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Introduction

Forest Peak Research Natural Area (RNA) is a 62.8-ha (155.3-ac) area located in

the western foothills of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. The tract was designated

as an RNA in 1995.1

 The tract contains first- and second-order stream reaches

in addition to a small segment of an undisturbed, third-order stream within the

Willamette Valley Ecoregion2 (Oregon Natural Heritage Program 2003).

Most of the RNA contains a high-quality, representative example of mature

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) forest (see appendixes for species names and

authorities). Historically, Douglas-fir forests were a common feature within the

Willamette Valley foothills. This has changed significantly over the past century

owing to timber harvesting. Today, low-elevation Douglas-fir stands that are uncut

and unroaded are few in number and small. In contrast to other remnant Douglasfir stands in the region, Forest Peak is comparatively large. Much of the closedcanopy forest of the RNA has retained its “interior stand” integrity and is less

vulnerable to edge effects (windthrow, altered insolation budgets) than most

smaller RNAs within the region (Juday 1976).

Douglas-fir is a prominent feature in other RNAs occurring within and along

the foothill margins of the Willamette Valley. As a group, the Douglas-fir forest

communities located within the Willamette Valley and Valley Margin ecological

provinces occur along a moisture gradient with drier sites in the south and increasingly wetter sites to the north. Along this gradient, many of the mature and oldgrowth stands within RNAs support stands of Douglas-fir in the upper canopy that

are successional to either grand fir (Abies grandis) or western hemlock (Tsuga

heterophylla). For further comparison, see Fox Hollow RNA, Mohawk RNA, and

Camas Swale RNA to the south of Forest Peak, and Little Sink RNA, and The

Butte RNA to the north.

Forest Peak is distinctive in that it occurs along the wetter end of the moisture

gradient, based on the presence of grand fir along the streams at lower elevations

within the RNA. The mesic moisture regime is also reflected by the abundance of

bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and swordfern (Polystichum munitum). But the

1

 In May, 1995, 54.2-ha (134-ac) were designated in the Salem District Resource

Management Plan. An additional 8.6 ha (21.3-ac) parcel is proposed for addition to

the designated RNA. The combined 62.8-ha (155-ac) parcels are treated in this report.

2

 Roughly the same geographic area has variously been referred to as the Western Oregon

Interior Valleys Province—Willamette Valley section (Dyrness et al. 1975), the Valley

Margin Zone (Juday 1976), and the Western Interior Valleys Physiographic Province

(USDI BLM 1996).

Remnant Douglas-fir

forest
2

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Douglas-fir stands at Forest Peak are not successional to western hemlock and do

not appear to be successional to grand fir, at least on the mid and upper slopes of

Forest Peak. We sampled three Douglas-fir stands in 2006 and provisionally placed

them into the Douglas-fir series based on the sparse cover or absence of grand fir.

The comparatively large size of the RNA, the presence of a core area without

edge effects, and the occurrence of the Douglas-fir on the mesic end of a moisture

gradient combine to provide a distinctive niche for Forest Peak within the region

(Greene 1989). A 3.2-ha (8-ac) grass meadow3

 along the summit ridge fringed by

an Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) woodland represents additional site diversity within Forest Peak RNA. Magee (1985) defined grass bald as any meadow that

occurs on or near the summits of montane peaks and ridges. The sites on which

they occur are generally located within the climatic tolerance ranges of adjacent

tree species.

Forest Peak RNA is administered by the Salem District of the USDI Bureau of

Land Management (BLM) and managed as part of the Marys Peak Resource Area.

Access and Accommodations

Forest Peak RNA is located in section 29, township 10 South, range 5 West,

Willamette Meridian. Contact the Salem BLM for access information and permission to access the area (fig.1). Vehicle access via BLM Road 10-6-14 is as follows:

From Monmouth, Oregon, at the intersection of Hwy. 99W and Main Street E,

travel south on Hwy. 99 for approximately 11.8 km (7.3 mi) to the intersection of

Hwy. 99W and Airlie Road. Turn west on Airlie Road for approximately 9.5 km

(5.9 mi) to the Junction of Maxfield Creek Road. Turn south on Maxfield Creek

road and continue approximately 8.5 km (5.3 mi) to the junction of BLM Road

10-6-14. This junction is located between two bridges on the south side of Maxfield

Creek Road. Access to BLM Road 10-6-14 goes through the residential properties

at 24820 and 24822 Maxfield Creek Road. Vehicle access is restricted by private

landowners and two locked gates. Past the second gate proceed on Road 10-6-14

for 5.2 km (3.2 mi) to road junction 10-5-20. Continue on road 10-6-14 approximately 2 km (1.25 mi) to the ridgetop and park. Walk west-southwest approximately 0.3 km (0.2 mi) to the Forest Peak RNA boundary.

An alternate access route (not shown) is available, but access is also restricted

by locked gates on private lands.

3

 We refer to “grass meadows” throughout the text, replacing the less descriptive term

“grass bald.”
3

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

There are no maintained trails within the RNA. Cross-country foot travel is

generally difficult owing to steep slopes and loose soils. Nearby lodging accommodation is available in Monmouth or Corvallis, Oregon.

Environment

Elevations range from 278 m (912 ft) in the southeastern portion where an unnamed, third-order stream flows south out of the RNA to 540 m (1,778 ft) along

the ridgeline of Forest Peak in the northern portion of the tract (fig. 2). Slopes are

moderately inclined (20 to 40 percent) and face southeast along the summit ridgeline, but then drop steeply (40 to 80 percent) through the central portion of the

Figure 1—Forest Peak Research Natural Area (RNA) location and access.
4

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

RNA. Slopes are oriented south to southeast in the southern third of the area, and

drainages are moderately steep.

Bedrock exposed along the summit ridge of Forest Peak has been mapped as

part of the Siletz River Volcanics series of lower Eocene age. These rocks are part

of a broad, northeast trending belt extending from the northwest corner of the

Monroe quadrangle to Coffin Butte in the Albany quadrangle. Rocks consist of a

thick sequence of zeolitic pillow lava, basalt flows, and flow breccia, which can be

interbedded with minor amounts of tuffaceous siltstone and fine tuff (Vokes et al.

1954).

The primary (85 percent of the area) soil mapping unit within the RNA is

the Price-MacDunn-Ritner complex, 30- to 60-percent slopes. Parent material is a

loamy colluvium derived from basalt over a clayey colluvium derived from basalt.

Figure 2—Forest Peak Research Natural Area (RNA) boundary and topography.
5

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Soils are silty clay loams to a depth of 2.5 to 20 cm (1 to 8 in), and silty clay

at depths of 79 to 137 cm (31 to 54 in). A gravelly silty clay loam layer occurs at

137 to 218 cm (54 to 86 in) depth and overlies bedrock. The taxonomic classification of this complex includes fine, mixed, superactive, mesic Typic Haploxerepts;

and clayey-skeletal, mixed, superactive mesic Typic Haploxerepts (USDA NRCS

2006). Soils underlying the grass bald are mapped as Witzel-Ritner complex, 30- to

60-percent slopes. Parent material is gravelly colluvium derived from basalt. Soils

are shallow and are very cobbly loam to a depth of 0 to 10 cm (0 to 4 in) and very

cobbly clay loam to a depth of 28 to 43 cm (11 to 17 in) to contact unweathered

bedrock (USDA NRCS 2006).

Climate

The climate of Forest Peak RNA is modified by a rain-shadow effect resulting

from its position along the lee side of the Oregon Coast Range (Franklin and

Dyrness 1988) and by its geographic proximity to the warm, dry Willamette

Valley (Hawk 1974). Summers are usually moderately dry and warm with the JuneAugust period receiving about 4 percent of the total annual precipitation. Winters

are typically cool and wet with the majority of precipitation occurring during the

November-March period, mostly in the form of rain. Average annual snowfall of

193 mm (7.6 in) occurs predominantly from December through February. Snowpack typically melts quickly. For the 40-year period 1961 to 2001, snowpack depth

monthly averages were negligible (Western Regional Climate Center 2006).

Meteorological data from the climatic station of comparable elevation and

distance from the Pacific Ocean nearest to Forest Peak, the Corvallis, Oregon,

station (Western Regional Climate Center 2006). The Corvallis station is located

approximately 11.3 km (7 mi) south-southwest of the RNA.

Period of record: 7/1/1948 to 12/31/2005–Corvallis Water Bureau, Oregon

(station 351877)

Average minimum January temperature 0.4 °C (32.8 °F)

Average maximum January temperature 7.4 °C (45.4 °F)

Average minimum July temperature 10.3 °C (50.6 °F)

Average maximum July temperature 26.0 °C (78.8 °F)

Average annual precipitation 1715 mm (67.51 in)

Average June-August precipitation 61 mm (2.42 in)

Average annual snowfall 193 mm (7.60 in)

Modified by a rainshadow effect
6

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Vegetation

Forest Peak RNA has two major vegetation cover types: coniferous forest and

grassland meadows. The conifer forest overstory is dominated by Douglas-fir.

Bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) is also abundant and scattered throughout the

RNA where it forms a subcanopy beneath the taller Douglas-fir. Grand fir (Abies

grandis) is a component of the forest canopy adjacent to the third-order stream at

lower elevations in the southeastern portion of the tract. It also occurs sporadically

as a sapling in the southern half (lower elevation portion) of the RNA (Alvorsen

1989), but occurs infrequently on the steep, upper elevation slopes below the

summit ridge. Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and western redcedar

(Thuja plicata) are both absent from the RNA. Oregon white oak (Quercus

garryana) forms a narrow fringe surrounding the grassland meadows. Pacific

madrone (Arbutus menziesii) also occurs sporadically adjacent to the summit

ridgeline where openings in the upper canopy provide more sunlight. At lower

elevations, red alder (Alnus rubra) and Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) are locally

common within riparian habitats (Alvorsen 1989).

The forest understory is quite open, and tall shrubs such as California hazelnut (Corylus cornuta var. californica) and oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor) have

a patchy distribution and are only locally abundant. The low shrub, dwarf

Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa), is widespread and abundant on steep, forested

slopes. Poison oak (Toxicodendron diversilobum) is locally abundant along the

grassland meadow margins and in forest openings.

Herbaceous ground cover within the Douglas-fir forest is variable. Swordfern

(Polystichum munitum) is locally abundant in some areas. Common associates

may include alpine circaea (Circaea alpina), parsley-leaved lovage (Ligusticum

apiifolium), Hooker’s fairybells (Prosartes hookeri), inside-out flower (Vancouveria

hexandra), vanilla leaf (Achlys triphylla) (Alvorsen 1989), and bracken fern

(Pteridium aquilinum).

Plant association descriptions of old-growth forests in the Valley Margin Zone

indicate that the most common and widespread plant association in the region is

present within the RNA: the Douglas-fir–bigleaf maple/hazel/pathfinder plant

association (Pseudotsuga menziesii-Acer macrophyllum/Corylus cornuta var.

californica/Adenocaulon bicolor) (Juday 1976). A recent classification of forest

plant associations in the Oregon Coast Range (McCain and Diaz 2002) describes an

additional plant association that occurs at lower elevations within Forest Peak RNA:

the grand fir/dwarf Oregongrape-salal (Abies grandis/Berberis nervosa-Gaultheria

shallon) plant association. Other plant associations were identified in 2006 when

Douglas-fir forest
7

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

three permanent vegetation plots were established to quantitatively characterize

stand structure and vegetation composition of representative stands within the RNA

(tables 1 and 2). These have been identified as Douglas-fir/California hazelnutcreeping snowberry/swordfern (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Corylus cornuta var.

californica-Symphoricarpos mollis/Polystichum munitum) (fig. 3), and Douglas-fir/

dwarf Oregongrape (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Berberis nervosa) (fig. 4). Classification of these associations is provisional and is based on the minor role or absence

of shade-tolerant conifers. We placed these stands in the Douglas-fir series based on

the sparse cover or absence of grand fir. In the nearby and more heavily managed

McDonald-Dunn Forest, Hubbard (1991) concluded that the presence of a Douglasfir series (e.g., association without grand fir) was not supported by her data.

A recent botanical survey of the grass meadow found it to be a mix of nonnative and invasive grass species and a diverse array of native grasses and herbaceous

species. Dominant nonnative species include tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius),

soft brome (Bromus hordeaceus), poverty brome (Bromus sterilis), hedgehog

dogtail (Cynosurus echinatus), and medusahead wildrye (Taeniatherum caputmedusae). A native species of bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is a major component of the herb layer, which increases with fire and/or soil disturbance. Native

herbaceous species that are not dependent on or increase with soil disturbance

include broadpetal strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), blue fieldmadder (Sherardia

arvensis), and Oregon sunshine (Eriophyllum lanatum). Native bunchgrasses such

as Roemer’s fescue (Festuca roemeri), Lemmon’s needlegrass (Achnatherum

lemmonii), California danthonia (Danthonia californica), and junegrass (Koeleria

macrantha) are present in minor amounts (Salix Associates 2004). Noteworthy

additions to the herbaceous flora include species typical of Willamette Valley

prairies: Puget balsamroot (Balsamorhia deltoidea), rhombic-petaled clarkia

(Clarkia rhomboidea), American carrot (Daucus pusillus), and spatulate-leaved

spurge (Euphorbia spathulata) (Alvorsen 1989) (see app. 1).

Table 1—Physical features of three permanent

plots in Forest Peak Research Natural Area

Plot

Physical features 103 104 105

Elevation (m) 466 383 425

Aspect (°) 324 294 352

Slope grade (%) 15 27 30

Slope position Upper Mid Mid

Grass meadow
8

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Table 2—Plant association, understory coverage, and frequency of three permanent plots in the Forest Peak

Research Natural Area

Plant associationa and plot

Psme/Cococ-Symo/Pomu Psme/Bene Psme/Bene

Plot 103 Plot 104 Plot 105

Species Coverb Frequency Cover Frequency Cover Frequency

Percent

Shrubs:

Berberis nervosac — 66 — 52 —

Corylus cornuta var. — — 7 —

californica

Holodiscus discolor 7— — —

Rosa gymnocarpa tr — 1 — 3 —

Symphoricarpos mollis 1 — 2— 1 —

Toxicodendron diversilobum — 1— —

Herbs, grasses, and ferns:

Polystichum munitum 28 57 4 7 18 29

Circaea alpina 2 28

Ligusticum apiifolium 4 36

Hieracium albiflorum tr 7

Goodyera oblongifolia tr 4

Lathyrus sp. tr 4

Viola sempervirens tr 4

Trientalis latifolia tr 4 tr 4

Lactuca muralis tr 7 1 4

Melica subulata tr 14 tr 4

Galium triflorum 1 21 tr 14

Moehringia macrophylla 1 14 tr 4

Pteridium aquilinum 2 7

Iris chrysophylla tr 4

Vancouveria hexandra 3 11 3 25

Adenocaulon bicolor tr 4 2 11

Rubus ursinusd tr 4 tr 7

Trisetum sp. tr 4 tr 7

Osmorhiza berteroi tr 4 tr 4

Anemone deltoidea tr 7 tr 4

Prosartes smithii 4 29

Thalictrum occidentale 2 7

Trillium ovatum 1 7

Bromus vulgaris tr 14

Nemophila parviflora tr 4

Fragaria vesca var. crinita tr 4

Note: PSME = Pseudotsuga menziesii, COCOC = Corylus cornuta var. californica, SYMO = Symphoricarpos mollis, POMU =

Polystichum munitum, BENE = Berberis nervosa. tr = trace (<0.5 percent foliar cover). a

 Plant association names all have a suffix, NWO Coast, that differentiates them from plant associations having similar names that occur

in the Oregon Cascades sensu McCain and Diaz (2002).

b

 Cover is expressed as percentage of foliar cover; frequency is expressed as percentage of relative frequency. Zero values are not

included.

c

 McCain and Diaz (2002) referred to Berberis nervosa as Mahonia nervosa. We use the currently accepted genus name of Berberis in

this document. See Flora of North America (2006) and the Oregon Flora Project (2006) in the “References” section.

d

 Treated as an herb in this data set.
9

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Figure 3—Understory vegetation with oceanspray (Holodiscus

discolor) occupying the tall shrub layer and swordfern (Polystichum

munitum) a conspicuous component of the herbaceous layer within

a 150-year-old stand of Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Taken

from plot number 103.

Figure 4—Understory vegetation

with California hazelnut (Corylus

cornuta var. calfornica) occupying

the tall shrub layer and dwarf

Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa)

a dominant component of the low

shrub layer. Swordfern (Polystichum

munitum) is patchy and locally

abundant. Taken from plot number

104.
10

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Tree age data were collected in 2006 from 12 Douglas-fir (four samples

collected from dominant individuals within each of three permanent plots). Tree

diameters at core height ranged between 66 and 125 cm (26 and 49 in). Tree ages

ranged from 113 years old to 183 years. Eight of the twelve trees were aged

between 152 and 167 years old. Douglas-fir mean age is 151 years, and median

age is 155 years. This indicates a major period of forest establishment around

1840 to 1850, probably a result of a stand-destroying fire preceding Douglas-fir

establishment. This period coincides with the immigration of Euro-Americans into

the adjacent Willamette Valley. Similarly, this period coincides with the cessation

of annual prairie burning by Native Americans (Johannessen 1971, Morris 1934).

The presence of a grass meadow within the RNA raises the probability that a

grassland burn escaped into the adjacent forest. Further support for this scenario

is the presence of fire-charred old-growth Douglas-fir situated along the third-order

stream in the southeastern portion of the tract (Alvorsen 1989). These >183-cm

(6-ft) diameter at breast height (d.b.h.) specimens are located in a ravine at the

confluence of two small streams. This topographic position is where Juday (1976)

often located old-growth stringers (linear stands) that survived stand-destroying

fires in the Valley Margin Zone and the Oregon Coast Range.

Figure 5 illustrates the current age-class distribution of forest stands within

the RNA. It is consistent with a history of a stand-destroying fire followed by

a surge of Douglas-fir recruitment and establishment, followed by periodic

establishment of Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple.

Fauna

Reptiles, amphibians, birds, and mammals known or expected to occur within the

RNA are listed in appendix 2. Lists have been compiled from a combination of

field observations and published literature. They represent an informed approximation based on geographic location, habitat availability, and species distribution

patterns (Csuti et al. 1997).

Disturbance History

A stand-destroying fire burned through the RNA some time before about 1840.

This period also marked a significant increase in Euro-American settlement of the

Willamette Valley. Soon after, the pattern of annual burning of grassland meadows

and prairies for hunting and collection of food plants by Native Americans was

significantly curtailed. Large fires in the Tsuga heterophylla Zone of the Oregon

Tree age data
11

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Coast Range, the Cascade Mountains, and the Olympic Mountains of Washington

were recorded in the first part of the 20th century. The mid and late 20th century

witnessed the advent of modern fire suppression and timber harvesting techniques

that greatly reduced the chance of fires burning free the way they once did (Agee

1993). The absence of wildfire within Forest Peak RNA over the past century and

a half has led to filling in of small openings and the margins of the grassland

meadows so that the former openings now have an overstory of Douglas-fir suppressing the shade-intolerant Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and Pacific

madrone (Arbutus menziesii). The absence of a major fire event for the past 150

years has allowed for the development of the Douglas-fir and bigleaf maple forest

present on the site today.

The impacts of road building, forest harvesting, and grazing practices in the

past century have contributed to the invasion and spread of highly invasive, weedy

plant species. Evidence of weed invasion is most pronounced in the grass meadows

where numerous nonnative grass species have invaded along with a small population of the highly invasive shrub, Scot’s broom (Cytisus scoparius). Grass invaders

Figure 5—Stand age-class distribution in Forest

Peak Research Natural Area.

Absence of a recent

major fire
12

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

present in the grass bald include tall oatgrass (Arrhenatherum elatius), soft

brome (Bromus hordeaceus), poverty brome (Bromus sterilis), hedgehog dogtail

(Cynosurus echinatus), and Medusahead wildrye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae).

A highly invasive perennial grass, slender falsebrome (Brachypodium sylvaticum),

has also been recorded in the RNA. Meadow knapweed (Centaurea pratensis),

another highly invasive species, has recently been observed growing in the vicinity

on cutover private forest lands (Salix Associates 2004). The grass meadows and

surrounding environs were grazed by domestic livestock and feral goats at different

times in the past (Alvorsen 1989).

Research History

Alvorsen (1989) conducted a floristic inventory and natural area assessment in

1989. Salix Associates (2004) conducted a botanical inventory of seven land parcels in the vicinity of Forest Peak. Three permanent vegetation plots were established in 2006 to characterize forest structure and composition and to establish a

baseline from which to monitor vegetation change over time (the project summarized, in part, in table 2). Data are on file at the Salem District office of the BLM,

and the Forestry Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station,

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Corvallis, Oregon.

Maps and Aerial Photography

Maps applicable to Forest Peak RNA: Topographic—Airlie South 7.5 minute

1:24,000 scale, 1984; BLM Salem District Westside Recreation Map 1:10,560,

1996. Aerial Photography: 2003 color 1:12,000 (6-07-2003 BLM 12 0-03-SAL

10-38, 0, 1, 2, 3); 1998 (7-23-1998 BLM 12 0-98-SAL 30-20-20,21,22); 1993

(6-2-1993 BLM 12 0-93-ASC 41-27-57); 1982 (5-29-1982 BLM 12 0-82-ASC

10-23 A-7); and 1956 (7-16-1956 PO 8-1,2,3,4).

Acknowledgments

We thank Sarah Greene, Greg Downing, Claire Hibler, and Hugh Snook for

assistance in the field, and Dave Calver for assistance in the field and creating

maps for this publication. We also thank the Salem District, BLM for funding

this project and the USDA Forest Service PNW Research Station for publishing

this supplement.
13

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

English Equivalents

1 hectare (ha) = 2.47 acres (ac)

1 kilometer (km) = 0.62 mile (mi)

1 meter (m) = 3.28 feet (ft)

1 centimeter (cm) = 0.394 inch (in)

1 millimeter (mm) = 0.0394 inch

References

Agee, J.K. 1993. Fire ecology of Pacific Northwest forests. Washington, DC:

Island Press. 493 p.

Alvorsen, E. 1989. Unpublished inventory report. 6 p. On file with: USDI Bureau

of Land Management, Salem District Office, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR

97306.

Csuti, B.; Kimerling, A.J.; O’Neil, T.A.; Shaughnessy, M.M.; Gaines, E.P.;

Huso, M.M.P. 1997. Atlas of Oregon wildlife. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State

University Press. 427 p. + map.

Dyrness, C.T.; Franklin, J.F.; Maser, C.; Cook, S.A.; Hall, J.D.; Faxon, G.

1975. Research natural area needs in the Pacific Northwest: a contribution to

land-use planning. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-38. Portland, OR: U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment

Station. 231 p.

Flora of North America. 2006. Partial nomenclature of vascular plants, ferns, and

fern allies within Oregon. http://www.efloras.org/flora_page.aspx?flora_id=1.

(November 3, 2006).

Franklin, J.F.; Dyrness, C.T. 1988. Natural vegetation of Oregon and

Washington. 2nd ed. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University Press. 452 p.

Greene, S.E. 1989. Unpublished manuscript. 2 p. On file with: U.S. Department

of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, 3200 SW

Jefferson Way, Corvallis, OR 97331.

Hawk, G.M. 1974. Little Sink Research Natural Area: supplement No. 4 to

Federal Research Natural Areas in Oregon and Washington. Portland, OR: U.S.

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.

14 p.
14

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Hubbard, C.J. 1991. A plant association classification for McDonald-Dunn Forest.

Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 178 p. M.S. thesis.

Johannessen, C.L. 1971. The vegetation of the Willamette Valley. Annals of the

Association of American Geographers. 61(2): 286–302.

Juday, G.P. 1976. The location, composition, and structure of old-growth forests

of the Oregon Coast Range. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 206 p.

Ph.D. dissertation.

Magee, T.K. 1985. Invasion of trees into a grassy bald on Marys Peak, Oregon,

Coast Range. Corvallis, OR: Oregon State University. 165 p. M.S. thesis.

McCain, C.; Diaz, N. 2002. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the

northern Oregon Coast Range. Tech. Pap. R6-NR-ECOL-TP-02-02. Portland,

OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region.

250 p.

Morris, W.G. 1934. Forest fires in Oregon and Washington. Oregon Historical

Quarterly. 35: 313–339.

Oregon Flora Project. 2006. The Oregon plant atlas. http://www.oregonflora.org/

oregonplantatlas.html. (September 22, 2006).

Oregon Natural Heritage Program. 2003. Oregon natural heritage plan. Salem,

OR: Department of State Lands, 167 p.

Salix Associates. 2004. Botanical inventory of Maxfield parcels. Unpublished

inventory report. 8 p. On file with: USDI Bureau of Land Management,

Salem District Office, 1717 Fabry Road SE, Salem, OR 97306.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service

[USDA NRCS]. 2006. Soil maps from Benton County, Oregon. http://

websoilsurvey.nrcs.usda.gov/app/. (December 28, 2006).

U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management [USDI BLM].

1996. Research natural areas in Washington and Oregon. 2nd ed. BLM/OR/WA/

PL-96/016+1792. Portland, OR. 74 p.

Vokes, H.E.; Myers, D.A.; Hoover, L. 1954. Geology of the west-central border

area of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. Oil and Gas Investigations Map OM

110. Salem, OR: U.S. Geological Survey.

Western Region Climate Center. 2006. Oregon climate data. http://

www.wrcc.dri.edu/cgi-bin/cliMAIN.pl?orfall. (December 10, 2006)
15

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Appendix 1: Plants12

Scientific name Common name

Coniferous trees

Abies grandis (Dougl.) Lindl. Grand fir

Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco. Douglas-fir

Taxus brevifolia Nutt. Western yew

Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don Western redcedar

Tsuga heterophylla (Raf.) Sarg. Western hemlock

Deciduous trees >8 m (26.3 ft) tall

Acer macrophyllum Pursh Bigleaf maple

Alnus rubra Bong. Red alder

Arbutus menziesii Pursh Pacific madrone

Corylus cornuta L. var. californica (DC.) California hazelnut

Sharp

Quercus garryana Dougl. Oregon white oak

Tall shrubs 2 to 8 m (6.6 to 26.3 ft) tall

Acer circinatum Pursh Vine maple

Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Serviceberry

Cornus nuttallii Aud. ex T. & G. Pacific dogwood

Cornus stolonifera Michx. Red-osier dogwood

Fraxinus latifolia Benth. Oregon ash

Holodiscus discolor (Pursh) Maxim. Oceanspray

Oemleria cerasiformis Torr. & Gray Indian plum

Philadelphus lewisii Pursh Mockorange

Medium shrubs 0.5 to 2 m (1.6 to 6.6 ft) tall

Berberis aquifolium Pursh Tall Oregongrape

Cytisus scoparius (L.) Link Scot’s broom, Scotch broom

Gaultheria shallon Pursh Salal

Lonicera ciliosa (Pursh) DC. Orange honeysuckle

Lonicera hispidula (Lindl.) Dougl. Hairy honeysuckle

Ribes bracteosum Dougl. Stink currant

Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt. Baldhip rose

Rubus leucodermis Dougl. ex T. & G. Whitebark raspberry

Symphoricarpos mollis Nutt. Creeping snowberry

Toxicodendron diversilobum (Torr. & Gray) Poison oak

Greene

Low shrubs <0.5m (1.6 ft) tall

Berberis nervosa Pursh Dwarf Oregongrape

Rubus ursinus Cham. & Schlecht. Trailing blackberry

Whipplea modesta Torr. Whipplevine
16

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Scientific name Common name

Ferns and allies

Adiantum pedatum L. Maidenhair fern

Athyrium filix-femina (L.) Roth. Lady fern

Dryopteris arguta (Kaulf.) Watt. Coastal shield fern

Pityrogramma triangularis (Kauf.) Maxon California goldfern

Polypodium glycyrrhiza DC. Eat. Licorice fern

Polystichum munitum (Kaulf.) Presl Western swordfern

Pteridium aquilinum (L.) Kuhn. Bracken fern

Herbs

Achillaea millefolium L. Western yarrow

Achlys triphylla (Smith) DC. Vanilla leaf

Adenocaulon bicolor Hook. Pathfinder, trail plant

Agoseris grandiflora (Nutt.) Greene Large-flowered agoseris

Allium sp. Onion

Amsinckia retrorsa Suksd. Rigid fiddleneck

Anaphalis margaritacea (L.) B. & H. Pearly everlasting

Anemone deltoidea Hook. Three-leaved anemone

Anisocarpus madioides Nutt. Woodland tarweed

Apocynum androsaemifolium L. Spreading dogbane

Aquilegia formosa Fisch. Red columbine

Arabis glabra (L.) Bernh. Tower rockcress

Asarum caudatum Lindl. Wild ginger

Balsamorhiza deltoidea Nutt. Puget balsamroot

Brodiaea coronaria (Salisb.) Engl. Harvest brodiaea

Calochortus tolmiei H. & A. Tolmie mariposa

Calypso bulbosa (L.) Oakes Calypso orchid

Calystegia atriplicifolia Hallier Night-blooming morning glory

Campanula scouleri Hook. ex A. DC. Scouler’s harebell

Cardamine oligosperma Nutt. Little western bittercress

Centaurea nigrescens Willd. Meadow knapweed

Cephalanthera austiniae (Gray) Heller Phantom orchid

Cerastium glomeratum Thuill. Sticky chickweed

Cimicifuga elata Nutt. Tall bugbane

Circaea alpina L. Alpine circaea

Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Canada thistle

Cirsium callilepis (Greene) Jeps. Mountain thistle

Clarkia amoena (Lehm.) Nels. & Macbr. Farewell-to-spring

Clarkia purpurea (Curtis) Nels. & Macbr. Clarkia

Clarkia rhomboidea Dougl. Rhombic-petaled clarkia

Claytonia perfoliata (Donn) Howell Miner’s lettuce

Claytonia sibirica (L.) Howell Siberian miner’s lettuce

Collomia grandiflora Dougl. ex Lindl. Large-flowered collomia

Collomia heterophylla Hock. Varied leaf collomia

Cornus canadensis L. Bunchberry dogwood

Crepis capillaris (L.) Wallr. Smooth hawksbeard

Cryptantha intermedia (Gray) Greene Common cryptantha

Cynoglossum grande Dougl. ex Lehm. Pacific houndstongue
17

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Scientific name Common name

Daucus carota L. Queen Anne’s lace

Daucus pusillus Michx. American carrot

Delphinium menziesii DC. Menzies’ larkspur

Dicentra formosa (Andr.) Walpers Pacific bleedingheart

Epilobium brachycarpum C. Presl Autumn willowweed

Equisetum telmateia Ehrh. Giant horsetail

Eriogonum nudum Dougl. ex Benth. Barestem buckwheat

Eriophyllum lanatum (Pursh) Forbes Oregon sunshine

Erodium cicutarium (L.) L’Her. Filaree, stork’s-bill

Euphorbia spathulata Lam. Spatulate-leaved spurge

Eurybia radulina (Gray) Nesom Roughleaf aster

Fragaria vesca L. var. crinita (Rydb.) Hitchc. Hairy woodland strawberry

Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Broad petal strawberry

var. platypetala (Rydb.) Hall

Galium aparine L. Stickywilly

Galium parisiense L. Wall bedstraw

Galium triflorum Michx. Sweetscented bedstraw

Geranium dissectum L. Cut-leaf geranium

Goodyera oblongifolia Raf. Western rattlesnake plantain

Hieracium albiflorum Hook. White-flowered hawkweed

Hydrophyllum tenuipes Heller Slender-stem waterleaf

Hypericum perforatum L. St. Johnswort

Hypochaeris radicata L. Hairy cat’s-ear

Iris chrysophylla T.J. Howell Yellow-leaf iris

Iris tenax Dougl. Oregon iris

Lactuca muralis (L.) Fresen. Wall lettuce

Lagophylla ramosissima Nutt. Slender rabbitleaf

Lapsana communis L. Nipplewort

Lathyrus nevadensis S. Wats. var. nevadensis Sierra peavine

Lathyrus polyphyllus Nutt. ex T. & G. Pacific peavine

Leucanthemum vulgare Lam. Oxeye daisy

Ligusticum apiifolium (Nutt.) Gray Parsley-leaved lovage

Lithophragma sp. Woodlandstar

Lomatium utriculatum (Nutt.) Coult. & Rose Pomo-celery lomatium

Lotus purshianus (Benth.) C. & C. Spanish-clover

Lupinus polycarpus Greene Small-flowered lupine

Madia gracilis (Smith) Keck var. gracilis Slender tarweed

Maianthemum racemosum (L.) Link Feathery false-Solomonseal

Maianthemum stellatum (L.) Desf. Starry false-Solomonseal

Marah oreganus (T. & G.) Howell Oregon bigroot

Mimulus alsinoides Dougl. ex Benth. Chickweed monkeyflower

Mimulus guttatus DC. Common monkeyflower

Mitella caulescens Nutt. Leafy mitrewort

Moehringia macrophylla (Hook.) Fenzl Bigleaf sandwort

Myosotis discolor Pers. Yellow and blue forget-me-not

Nemophila parviflora Dougl. ex Benth. Smallflower nemophila

Oenanthe sarmentosa Presl ex DC. Pacific waterparsley

Osmorhiza berteroi DC. Mountain sweet-cicely

Petasites frigidus (L.) Fries var. palmatus Coltsfoot

(Ait.) Cronq.
18

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Scientific name Common name

Phacelia nemoralis Greene ssp. oregonensis Woodland phacelia

Heckard

Phlox gracilis (Hook.) E. Greene Slender phlox

Plagiobothrys scouleri (H. & A.) Johnst. Scouler’s popcorn flower

var. scouleri

Plantago lanceolata L. English plantain

Plectritis congesta (Lindl.) DC. Rosy plectritis

Prosartes hookeri Torr. Hooker’s fairybells

Prosartes smithii (Hook.) Utech Smith’s fairybells

Prunella vulgaris L. Common self-heal

Pyrola picta Smith Whitevein pyrola

Ranunculus occidentalis Nutt. Western buttercup

Ranunculus uncinatus D. Don. Little buttercup

Rumex acetosella L. Sheep sorrel

Sanicula bipinnatifida Dougl. Poison sanicle

Sanicula crassicaulis DC. Pacific sanicle

Satureja douglasii (Benth.) Briq. Yerba buena

Senecio jacobaea L. Tansy ragwort

Sherardia arvensis L. Blue fieldmadder

Sidalcea virgata Howell Rose checker-mallow

Silene gallica L. Windmill pink

Silene hookeri Nutt. Hooker’s silene

Sisymbrium altissimum L. Tumblemustard

Solidago canadensis L. var. salebrosa Canada goldenrod

(Piper) Jones

Sonchus asper (L.) Hill Prickly sowthistle

Stachys cooleyae Heller Cooley’s hedge-nettle

Stellaria crispa Cham. & Schlect. Crisped starwort

Stellaria media (L.) Cyrill. Common chickweed

Symphyotrichum hallii (Gray) Nesom Hall’s aster

Synthyris reniformis (Dougl.) Benth. Snow queen

Taraxacum officinale Weber Dandelion

Tellima grandiflora (Pursh) Dougl. Fringecup

Thalictrum occidentale Gray Western meadowrue

Thysanocarpus curvipes Hook. Sand fringepod

Tiarella trifoliata L. var. trifoliata Three-leaf foamflower

Tolmiea menziesii (Pursh) T. & G. Piggyback plant

Tonella tenella (Benth.) Heller Small-flowered tonella

Torilis arvensis (Huds.) Link. Spreading hedge parsley

Tragopogon dubius Scop. Yellow salsify

Trientalis latifolia Hook. Starflower

Trifolium albopurpureum T. & G. Clover

var. dichotomum (Hook. & Arn.) Isley

Trifolium campestre Schreb. Hop clover

Trifolium dubium Sidth. Least hop clover

Trifolium microcephalum Pursh Smallheaded clover

Trifolium microdon H. &. A. Thimble clover

Trifolium obtusiflorum Hook. & Arn. Clammy clover

Trifolium willdenowii Spreng. Tomcat clover
19

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Scientific name Common name

Trillium ovatum Pursh Western trillium

Vancouveria hexandra (Hook.) Inside-out flower

Morr. & Dcne.

Veratrum sp. False hellebore

Veronica arvensis L. Common speedwell

Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. American vetch

Vicia hirsuta (L.) Gray Hairy vetch

Vicia sativa L. Common vetch

Viola glabella Nutt. Stream violet; yellow wood v.

Viola sempervirens Greene Redwoods violet

Wyethia angustifolia (DC.) Nutt. Narrowleaf wyethia

Yabea microcarpa (Hook. & Arn.) Koso-Pol. California hedge parsley

Grasses, sedges, and rushes

Achnatherum lemmonii (Vasey) Barkw. Lemmon’s needlegrass

Agrostis hallii Vasey Hall’s bentgrass

Aira caryophyllea L. Silver hairgrass

Arrhenatherum elatius (L.) Presl. Tall oatgrass

Brachypodium sylvaticum (Huds.) Beauv. Slender falsebrome

Bromus carinatus H. & A. California brome

Bromus hordeaceus L. ssp. hordeaceus Soft brome

Bromus secalinus L. Chess brome

Bromus sitchensis Trin. Alaska brome

Bromus sterilis L. Poverty brome

Bromus tectorum L. Cheatgrass brome

Bromus vulgaris (Hook.) Shear Columbia brome

Carex deweyana Schw. Dewey’s sedge

Carex hendersonii L.H. Bailey Henderson’s sedge

Carex rossii Boott Ross’ sedge

Cynosurus echinatus L. Hedgehog dogtail

Dactylis glomerata L. Orchardgrass

Danthonia californica Boland. California danthonia

Elymus glaucus Buckl. var. glaucus Blue wildrye

Festuca californica Vasey California fescue

Festuca occidentalis Hook. Western fescue

Festuca roemeri (Pavlick) S. Aiken Roemer fescue

Koeleria macrantha (Ledeb.) J.A. Schultes Junegrass

Glyceria elata (Nash) M.E. Jones Tall mannagrass

Juncus effusus L. Common rush

Luzula comosa E. Mey. Pacific woodrush

Melica subulata (Griseb.) Scribn. Alaska oniongrass

Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass

Taeniatherum caput-medusae (L.) Nevski Medusahead wildrye

Trisetum sp. Oatgrass

1 Compiled from numerous sources.

2

 Nomenclature for vascular plants, ferns, and fern-allies follows the Flora of North America Web

site (2006) and the Oregon Flora Project Web site (2006).
20

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Appendix 2: Amphibians, Reptiles, Birds, and

Mammals1

Order Scientific name Common name

Amphibians

Caudata Ambystoma gracile Northwestern salamander

Ambystoma macrodactylum Long-toed salamander

Aneides ferreus Clouded salamander

Dicamptodon tenebrosus Pacific giant salamander

Ensatina eschscholtzi Ensatina

Plethodon dunni Dunn’s salamander

Plethodon vehiculum Western redback salamander

Rhyacotriton variegatus Southern torrent salamander

Taricha granulosa Rough-skinned newt

Anura Ascaphus truei Tailed frog

Bufo boreas Western toad

Pseudacris regilla Pacific chorus frog

Rana aurora Red-legged frog

Reptiles

Squamata Elgaria coerulea Northern alligator lizard

Charina bottae Rubber boa

Coluber constrictor Racer

Contia tenuis Sharptail snake

Eumeces skiltonianus Western skink

Sceloporus occidentalis Western fence lizard

Thamnophis elegans Western terrestrial garter snake

Thamnophis ordinoides Northwestern garter snake

Thamnophis sirtalis Common garter snake

Birds

Falconiformes Accipiter cooperii Cooper’s hawk

Accipiter gentilis Northern goshawk

Accipiter striatus Sharp-shinned hawk

Buteo jamaicensis Red-tailed hawk

Cathartes aura Turkey vulture

Circus cyaneus Northern harrier

Falco sparverius American kestrel

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Bald eagle

Galliformes Bonasa umbellus Ruffed grouse

Callipepla californica California quail

Dendragapus obscurus Blue grouse

Oreortyx pictus Mountain quail

Phasianus colchicus Ring-necked pheasant

Charadriiformes Actitis macularia Spotted sandpiper

Brachyramphus marmoratus Marbled murrelet

Charadrius vociferus Killdeer
21

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Order Scientific name Common name

Columbiformes Columba fasciata Band-tailed pigeon

Zenaida macroura Mourning dove

Strigiformes Aegolius acadicus Northern saw-whet owl

Bubo virginianus Great-horned owl

Glaucidium gnoma Northern pygmy owl

Otus kennicottii Western screech-owl

Strix occidentalis Spotted owl

Strix varia Barred owl

Caprimulgiformes Chordeiles minor Common nighthawk

Apodiformes Chaetura vauxi Vaux’s swift

Selasphorus rufus Rufous hummingbird

Coraciiformes Ceryle alcyon Belted kingfisher

Piciformes Colaptes auratus Northern flicker

Dryocopus pileatus Pileated woodpecker

Picoides pubescens Downy woodpecker

Picoides villosus Hairy woodpecker

Sphyrapicus ruber Red-breasted sapsucker

Passeriformes Bombycilla cedrorum Cedar waxwing

Carduelis pinus Pine siskin

Carduelis tristis American goldfinch

Carpodacus purpureus Purple finch

Catharus ustulatus Swainson’s thrush

Certhia americana Brown creeper

Chamaea fasciata Wrentit

Cinclus mexicanus American dipper

Coccothraustes vespertinus Evening grosbeak

Contopus borealis Olive-sided flycatcher

Contopus sordidulus Western wood peewee

Corvus brachyrhynchos American crow

Corvus corax Common raven

Cyanocitta stelleri Steller’s jay

Dendroica coronata Yellow-rumped warbler

Dendroica nigrescens Black-throated gray warbler

Dendroica occidentalis Hermit warbler

Dendroica petechia Yellow warbler

Empidonax difficilis Pacific-slope flycatcher

Empidonax hammondii Hammond’s flycatcher

Empidonax traillii Willow flycatcher

Geothlypis trichas Common yellowthroat

Ixoreus naevius Varied thrush

Junco hyemalis Dark-eyed junco

Loxia curvirostra Red crossbill

Melospiza melodia Song sparrow

Molothrus ater Brown-headed cowbird

Myadestes townsendi Townsend’s solitaire

Oporornis tolmiei MacGillivray’s warbler

Parus atricapillus Black-capped chickadee
22

GENERAL TECHNICAL REPORT PNW-GTR-730

Order Scientific name Common name

Parus rufescens Chestnut-backed chickadee

Perisoreus canadensis Gray jay

Pheucticus melanocephalus Black-headed grosbeak

Pipilo maculatus Spotted towhee

Piranga rubra Western tanager

Progne subis Purple martin

Psaltriparus minimus Bushtit

Regulus satrapa Golden-crowned kinglet

Sialia mexicana Western bluebird

Sitta canadensis Red-breasted nuthatch

Sitta carolinensis White-breasted nuthatch

Spizella passerina Chipping sparrow

Stelgidopteryx serripennis Northern rough-winged swallow

Tachycineta bicolor Tree swallow

Tachycineta thalassina Violet-green swallow

Thryomanes bewickii Bewick’s wren

Troglodytes aedon House wren

Troglodytes troglodytes Winter wren

Turdus migratorius American robin

Vermivora celata Orange-crowned warbler

Vermivora ruficapilla Nashville warbler

Vireo gilvus Warbling vireo

Vireo huttoni Hutton’s vireo

Vireo solitarius Solitary vireo

Wilsonia pusilla Wilson’s warbler

Zonotrichia leucophrys White-crowned sparrow

Mammals

Didelphimorphia Didelphis virginiana Virginia opossum

Insectivora Neurotrichus gibbsii Shrew-mole

Scapanus orarius Coast mole

Scapanus townsendii Townsend’s mole

Sorex bairdi Baird’s shrew

Sorex bendirii Pacific marsh shrew

Sorex pacificus Pacific shrew

Sorex sonomae Fog shrew

Sorex trowbridgii Trowbridge’s shrew

Sorex vagrans Vagrant shrew

Chiroptera Corynorhinus townsendii Townsend’s big-eared bat

Eptesicus fuscus Big brown bat

Lasionycteris noctivagans Silver-haired bat

Lasiurus cinereus Hoary bat

Myotis californicus California myotis

Myotis evotis Long-eared myotis

Myotis lucifugus Little brown myotis
23

Forest Peak Research Natural Area, Guidebook Suppplement 33

Order Scientific name Common name

Myotis thysanodes Fringed myotis

Myotis volans Long-legged myotis

Myotis yumanensis Yuma myotis

Lagomorpha Lepus americanus Snowshoe hare

Sylvilagus bachmani Brush rabbit

Rodentia Aplodontia rufa Mountain beaver

Castor canadensis American beaver

Clethrionomys californicus Western red-backed vole

Erethizon dorsatum Common porcupine

Glaucomys sabrinus Northern flying squirrel

Microtus longicaudus Long-tailed vole

Microtus oregoni Creeping vole

Microtus townsendii Townsend’ vole

Neotoma cinerea Bushy-tailed woodrat

Neotoma fuscipes Dusky-footed woodrat

Peromyscus maniculatus Deer mouse

Phenacomys albipes White-footed vole

Phenacomys longicaudus Red tree vole

Spermophilus beecheyi California ground squirrel

Tamias townsendii Townsend’s chipmunk

Tamiasciurus douglasii Douglas’ squirrel

Thomomys mazama Western pocket gopher

Zapus trinotatus Pacific jumping mouse

Carnivora Canis latrans Coyote

Felis concolor Mountain lion

Lutra canadensis Northern river otter

Lynx rufus Bobcat

Martes americana American marten

Mephitis mephitis Striped skunk

Mustela erminea Ermine

Mustela frenata Long-tailed weasel

Mustela vison Mink

Odocoileus hemionus Black-tailed deer

ssp. columbianus

Procyon lotor Common raccoon

Spilogale gracilis Western spotted skunk

Urocyon cinereoargenteus Common gray fox

Ursus americanus Black bear

Vulpes vulpes Red fox

Artiodactyla Cervus elaphus Elk

1

Nomenclature, distribution, and habitat characteristics taken from Csuti et al. 1997
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Pacific Northwest Research Station

Web site http://www.fs.fed.us/pnw

Telephone (503) 808-2592

Publication requests (503) 808-2138

FAX (503) 808-2130

E-mail pnw_pnwpubs@fs.fed.us

Mailing address Publications Distribution

Pacific Northwest Research Station

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208-3890
U.S. Department of Agriculture

Pacific Northwest Research Station

333 S.W. First Avenue

P.O. Box 3890

Portland, OR 97208-3890

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use, $300