The 178 ha Cedar Log Flat RNA is located 19 miles west of Grants Pass, Oregon in Josephine County. The objective of the area is to preserve ecosystems that occur on serpentine soils. Cedar Log Creek flows through the tract and six bogs are present. Elevations range from 518 to 1006 m. The Jeffrey pine (Pinus jeffreyi)- Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) association, with a huckleberry oak (Quercus vacciniifolia) dominated understory, occurs on a slope on the west end of the natural area. A Jeffrey pine - dwarf ceanothus (Ceanothus pumilus) community occurs on a bench in the east side of the tract. The dominant shrub in this area is squaw carpet (Ceanothus prostratus). The central section of the RNA is dominated by Jeffrey pine and Douglas fir, with a huckleberry oak dominated understory. Several plant associations occur in "contact zones" where fertile parent materials from upstream mix with serpentine and peridotite and create a productive association with ultrabasic indicators. One such association is the Port Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana)/ silktassle (Garrya) plant association found in a narrow strip along Cedar Log Creek. A second "contact zone" community is the Port Orford Cedar - bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) association. This association occurs on the flat alluvial plane at the junction of Cedar Log and Slate Creeks, near the eastern edge of the area. Six bogs, characterized by California pitcher plant (Darlingtonia californica), have been located in the natural area. Some of the bogs also contain Oregon willowherb (Epilobium oregonense), a sensitive species.

Permanent plots, established in conjunction with prescribed burning, exist in the tract. A part of the RNA was prescribed burned in 1998.

Township/Range/Section:

Parts of sec 35 and 36, T36S, R8W.

Latitude:

42,23N

Longitude:

123,35W

Quad Map:

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Sensitive species that occur within the area are: Allium bolanderi var. mirabile, Arabis koehleri var. stipitata, Cypripedium californicum, Epilobium oregonense, Eriogonum pendulum, Fritillaria glauca, Microseris howellii, Sedum laxum spp. heckneri, Senecio hesperius, Darlingtonia californicum, and Thlaspi montanum var. siskiyouensis. Monitor species present are Arabis aculeolata, Dicentra formosa spp. oregana, Lilium vollmeri, and Phacelia corymbosa. Native cutthroat trout inhabit Cedar Log Creek, and ringtails have been trapped and released in the area.

Exotic Species Present:

Plant Communities:

Dominant communities are Jeffrey pine-Huckleberry oak and Douglas-fir-Jeffrey pine . Other communities include Port Orford cedar/western azalea, Jeffrey pine/dwarf ceanothus savanna, Port Orford Cedar-Big Leaf Maple, Port Orford Cedar/Box-leaved silktassel, Tanoak/California coffeeberry, and a California pitcher-plant fen on serpentine-peridotite, with western azalea and camas.

Aquatic Features Present:

Cedar Log Creek, a permanent stream, flows through the area. It appears that Slate Creek is also partially within the area. Several bogs occur in the meadow area.

Soils:

Parent rock consists of serpentine and peridotite; soils are shallow. Soils derived from this rock are typically low in total and adsorbed calcium, and high in magnesium, chromium, and nickel. Large areas exist of mostly bare parent material with little or limited amounts of soil.

Other Physical Features:

The area is part of the Slate Creek drainage.

Past Disturbance History:

Evidence of past fire activity is present. There is a placer claim for gold located on Cedar Log Creek.

Other Comments:

Access by road