The 476-ha Neskowin Crest Research Natural Area (RNA) is located in Tillamook County, Oregon about 15 miles north of Lincoln City. The RNA is topographically rugged, occupying a coastal headland dissected by numerous small drainages. Elevations range from sea level to 430 m. The area lies within the Sitka spruce-Western hemlock zone, a 1-3 km wide zone running along the Pacific Coast from SE Alaska to southern Oregon. Most of the forested area came in after an extensive wildfire in the late 1840s, but some patches of the older 250-year-old forest remain. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) dominate all forested stands with an occasional red alder (Alnus rubra), western red cedar (Thuja plicata) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Understory composition is generally uniform throughout with sword fern (Nephrolepis), Oregon oxalis (Oxalis oregana), deer fern (Blechnum spicant), huckleberry (Gaylussacia), and Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) commonly found. There are over 60 species of mosses and lichens. A 52-ha grassy headland community is similar to many found along the Oregon coast. The upper portion of this area is boggy with several small springs. Over 100 species of vascular plants grow on the headland. Wind is the major form of disturbance in the area.

In 1979, 44 1,000-m2 permanent plots arrayed along 4 transects were established in the RNA.

Township/Range/Section:

All of sec 2 and portions of secs 1, 3, 10, 11 and 12, T6S, R11W.

Latitude:

45,05N

Longitude:

124,00W

Quad Map:

15' Hebo (1955) - scale 1:62,500.

Threatened or Endangered Species:

Peregrine falcons nest in the RNA.

Exotic Species Present:

There are quite a few introduced species which occur on the coastal headland prairie. They are: Cerastium glomeratum (chickweed), Cerastium holosteoides (cerastium), Cirsium vulgare (bull thistle), Crepis capillaris (smooth hawksbeard), Hypochaeris radicata (hairy pussy-toes), Plantago lanceolata (English plantain), Prunella vulgaris (self-heal), Rumex acetosella (sheep sorrel), Rumex crispus (yellow dock), Rumex obtusifolius (broad-leaved dock), Senecio jacobaea (tansy ragwort), Trifolium dubium (suckling clover), Trifolium repens (white clover), Agrostis tenuis (colonial bentgrass), Agrostis semiverticillata (water bentgrass), Anthoxanthum odoratum (sweet vernalgrass), Dactylis glomerata (orchard-grass), Festuca arundinacea (reed fescue), Festuca pratensis (meadow fescue), Festuca rubra (red fescue), Holcus lanatus (common velvet-grass), Lolium multiflorum (Italian ryegrass), Lolium perenne (English ryegrass), Phleum pratense (common timothy), and Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass).

Plant Communities:

An example of Sitka spruce-western hemlock forest on the ocean front. Includes two complete stream drainages, a grassy headland community and a length of coastline. The western hemlock/swordfern community predominates in forested areas. Cover types in forested areas include: Sitka spruce, western hemlock and western hemlock-Sitka spruce. Communities on the grassy headland include: 1) horsetail, 2) swordfern-thimbleberry, 3) slough sedge, 4) coast mugwort-goldenrod, 5) goldenrod, 6) lupine, and 7) seacoast angelica-salmonberry. Riparian communities and coastal communities also appear.

Aquatic Features Present:

The RNA includes 2 complete stream drainages - Chitwood Creek and Calf Creek. There are also numerous small permanent streams. On the prairie headland, boggy areas and several springs occur.

Soils:

Not mapped or classified, however, profiles can best be characterized as Astoria-like Sols Bruns Acides. The brochure contains profile information.

Other Physical Features:

A series of cliffs plunge into the ocean along the nw and west boundaries.

Past Disturbance History:

Other Comments:

Access by road and trail