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Bear Gulch Research Natural AreaRoseburg District , BLMKlamath Mountains EcoregionCell(s):
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Bear Gulch RNA protects 134 ha of low elevation mixed coniferous forest at the cross-roads of the west slope of the Oregon Cascades, western Oregon interior valleys, and the Klamath Mountains. Located approximately 5 km south of Canyonville in Douglas County, Oregon, its south-facing slopes are moderately to very steep, ranging in elevation from 320 to 730 m. Major plant communities are Douglas fir/canyon live oak (Pseudotsuga menziesii/Quercus chrysolepis) and southwestern Oregon mixed conifer forest. These are representative of low elevation Douglas fir forests that predominate throughout the band of mountains that extend east-west from the Cascades to the Coast Range at the northern edge of the Klamath Mountains. They resemble forests found in the foothills of the interior valleys, except that canyon live oak replaces Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana). On south facing slopes, Douglas-fir grows with canyon live oak, Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii), and golden chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla) interspersed with small meadow openings. Canyon live oak also grows in pure stands. The high diversity of shrubs is characteristic of low elevations in the Klamath Mountains, but the community structure is more representative of the Cascades. Soil series represented are Vermisa, Beekman, Pollard, McGinnis and Tishar. Annual precipitation in this mild maritime climate averages 76 cm. Past disturbance is primarily from pre-1900 wild fires. Reference plots have been established by Brad Smith, Oregon State University.
Access by unpaved roads
