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Grass Mountain Research Natural Area

Salem District , BLM

Coast Range Ecoregion

Cell(s):

  • Noble fir-western hemlock forest.
  • Grass bald on Coast Range mountain
Grass Mountain Research Natural Area

Access by gravel roads

The 294 ha Grass Mountain RNA encompasses eight distinct grass bald complexes, along with intervening forest communities. It is located in Benton County, Oregon, approximately 8 km northwest of Alsea, Oregon. Forest types comprise mixed Pacific silver fir (Abies amabilis), noble fir (Abies procera) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) associations. The forest understory is mainly open and park-like, with a forb layer of starry false Solomon seal (Maianthemum stellatum) and miner's lettuce (Claytonia sibirica). The maritime climate has an annual rainfall of 152 to 178 cm. Soil series are Klickitat and Bohannon. Elevation ranges from 500 to 1100 meters. Special features include 75 to 100 year old noble fir and western hemlock. Disturbances and human developments were livestock grazing and a State Forestry fire lookout tower built on top of Grass Mountain in the late 1930s. In 1955, the BLM clearcut approximately 7.5 acres of forest lands immediately around the tower to improve visibility. The tower was decommissioned and dismantled in 1970. Historic grazing probably accounts for the high percentage of non-native grasses on the open meadows. However, many areas are covered with braken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) and sedges (Carex pachystachya).
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