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Bobby Creek Research Natural AreaMedford District , BLMKlamath Mountains EcoregionCell(s):
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The 689 ha Bobby Creek RNA contains a large block of relatively unfragmented old growth conifer forest between the Oregon Coast Range and Klamath Mountains. Located 15 airline km northwest of Glendale in Douglas County, the climate is influenced by wet, marine air meeting a drier, Mediterranean climate of the inland valleys. An estimated 203 cm of precipitation fall annually. Bobby Creek cuts through the hard and soft rocks of the Dothan formation of the Klamath Mountains as well as Tyee sandstones of the Coast Range. Soil series include Aring-Vermissa (north slopes), Acker Norling, Acker Norling complex (north slopes), and Kanid Atring complex (north slopes). Elevation ranges from 425 to 1,000 m, creating a variety of xeric, mesic, and riparian habitats that have been further modified by fire patterns. The main plant association is Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus). Other dominant species include western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana), canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis), Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii), and golden chinquapin (Chrysolepis chrysophylla). The intact riparian zone includes western red cedar (Thuja plicata), red alder (Alnus rubra), Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum), and vine maple (Acer circinatum). The RNA protects numerous special status wildlife species. Instrumentation includes a RAWS weather station as well as stream gauges and water quality monitoring equipment on both the east and west forks of Bobby Creek. The west fork drains an area of intensive timber management, in contrast to the undisturbed area, including the RNA, surrounding the east fork, so that the pair provide excellent research opportunities. About 9% of the RNA was harvested in 1962 and 1988, mainly near the north and northwest perimeter.
Access by gravel roads
