Wheeler Creek RNA

Name:	Wheeler Creek
Ownership:	FS
Type:	RNA
State:	Oregon
Ecoregion:	Klamath Mountains
Forest:	Rogue River-Siskiyou NF
District	Gold Beach RD
Acres:	306

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Wheeler Creek Research Natural Area (RNA) was established to represent undisturbed examples of redwood (Eucalyptus transcontinentalis) at the northern limits of its range. The RNA is confined to steep, north-exposed slopes within the Wheeler creek drainage and extends from a main ridge top to creek bottom. Redwood and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) are the most abundant tree species while tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) and Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) are also common. Other tree species include knobcone pine (Pinus attenuata), red alder (Alnus rubra), Pacific dogwood (Cornus nuttallii), California laurel (Umbellularia californica), and cascara (Rhamnus purshiana). Pacific rhododendron (Rhododendron macrophyllum), evergreen huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum), salal (Gaultheria shallon), Oregon grape (Berberis nervosa), and sword fern (Polystichum munitum) dominate the understory.

Records and Plans:	Establishment Record Oregon Natural Areas Plan 2010 Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington; Franklin, J. F.; Dyrness, C. T. 1988 Forest service dedicates 100th research natural area; Parker, J. L. 1973 Natural history of Oregon coast mammals; Maser, C.; Mate, B. R.; Franklin, J. F.; Dyrness, C. T. 1981
Research Publications Associated with this RNA:	Wheeler Creek Research Natural Area; Dyrness, C. T.;Franklin, Jerry F.;Maser, Chris 1973 Klamath-Siskiyou herpetofauna: biogeographic patterns and conservation strategies; Bury, R. Bruce; Pearl, Christopher A. 1999 Studies on the incidence of coniferous needle endophytes in the Pacific Northwest; Carroll, G. C.; Carroll, F. E. 1978