Duck Lake RNA

Duck Lake Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent vernal, highelevationponds and bogs located within heavily glaciated topography. The RNA has a very gradual drop in elevation from southeast to northwest. Large rocky outcroppings near Duck Lake include numerous basins which collect water and maintain wetlands. Smooth granitic outcrops and depressions were formed from the retreat of glaciers about 10,000 years ago. Sphagnum moss (Sphagnum spp.) is the dominant cover of the Montane Sphagnum Bogs along the margins of Duck Lake. Bladder sedge (Carex utriculata), common spikerush (Eleocharis paulustris), buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), English sundew (Drosera anglic), and woolyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) are also common flora among the bogs. Sedge-dominated fens are covered with bladder sedge (Carex intumescens) and occasional patches of tall mannagrass (Glyceria elata). Mixed conifer forests surrounding the RNA's wetlands are dominated by grand fir (Abies grandis) with lesser amounts of western larch (Larix occidentalis), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Big huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum) is the dominant shrub with associated baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) and Utah honeysuckle (Lonicera utahensis).  Common herbs are Columbia brome (Bromus vulgaris), woods strawberry (Fragaria vesca), sweet cicily (Osmorhize chilensis), round-leaved violet (Viola orbiculata), and heartleaf arnica (Arnica cordifolia). Forested areas among the flanks of granite outcrops are dominated by ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas-fir. The shrub layer is sparse with occasional patches of Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana) and snowbrush (Ceanothus velutinus). Pinegrass (Calamagrostis rubescens) is the predominant herb.