Lightning Creek PRNA

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Name: Lightning Creek
Ownership: FS
Type: PRNA
State: Idaho
Ecoregion: Blue Mountains
Forest: Wallowa-Whitman NF
District Hells Canyon (NRA)
Acres: 2134

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Lightning Creek proposed Research Natural Area (pRNA) was established to represent Idaho fescue (Festuca idahoensis)–prairie junegrass (Koeleria macrantha), Idaho fescue-bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata), bluebunch wheatgrass-Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda), and a highly diverse forb population associated with the bunchgrasses. Lighning Creek runs through the top of the pRNA in a deep canyon becoming the north boundary of the pRNA. A main ridge runs through the south part of the pRNA and Cougar Basin sits at the foot of the ridge to the south. The pRNA includes all aspects and variations in slope. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga) are dominant tree species.  Snake River greenbush, smooth sumac (Rhus glabra), snowberry-rose, ninebark (Physocarpus), hackberry (Celtis), serviceberry (Amelanchier), and mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus) are common shrubs. Grassland is domoinated by bluebunch wheatgrass, Sandberg bluegrass, prairie junegrass, and Hood's sedge (Carex hoodii). Riparian areas are dominated by douglas hawthorne, columbia hawthorne, hackberry, cottonwood (Populus), mock orange (Philadelphus), waterbirch (Betula occidentalis), Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), cascara buckthorne, chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), blackbead elder, willow, and currant (Ribes).

 


Records and Plans:
Research Publications Associated with this RNA: