Rigdon Point RNA

Rigdon Point Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent dry site Douglas-fir(Pseudotsuga menziesii) /creambush ocean-spray (Holodiscus discolor)and Douglas-fir/creambush ocean spray/dull Oregongrape (Berberis nervosa) plant communities with stands of knobcone pine(Pinus attenuata). The RNA includes three basins that are sources of tributaries for Staley Creek. Slopes range from steep and rocky with open forest stands and intermittent rock outcrops to gentle with dense forest stands. Most forested stands in the area are dominated by Douglas fir). Knobcone pine grand fir (Abies grandis), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa), sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), and incense-cedar (Calocedrus kurz) are common tree species in dry sections while creambush oceanspray, golden chinkapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla), dull Oregon grape and California hazel (Corylus cornuta var. californica) are common shrubs. Western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) and Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia) are common tree species in moister sections while dull Oregon grape, Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum), creambush oceanspray, and baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) are common shrubs in the section. Noble fir (Abies procera), Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis), silver fir (Abies alba), mountain hemlock (Tsuga mertensiana), lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and western white pine (Pinus monticola) are common tree species in upper elevations.