Lost Prairie

Local History

Early settlers camped here in 1859 while looking for a cattle trail over the pass. They were led by Andrew Wiley, who climbed a tree and was the first white person to see Santiam Pass.

Introduction to Lost Prairie

Keep in mind as you watch the videos

Take notes using the community analysis pages for each site provided in the assignment. Remember at each site we are trying to determine whether we are seeing a mature forest or an early successional stage.

To determine this we will try to answer the following questions:

What is the structural complexity of this forest? Is every layer represented?
What is the species composition and diversity of this forest? Which species are here?
What are the soil conditions in this forest? How do they contribute to the diversity and complexity?
What is the relative age of this forest

Specific Information

Ecoregion: transition zone altitude for Western Valley (climate for a Cascade Montane)

Altitude: 3,200 ft.

Precipitation: approx. 65 inches per year

Keep in mind as you visit each location, the specific information listed for that area (ecoregion, elevation, rainfall, climate , soil, light, vegetation), and consider the various layers and plant species you will see.

Note: At this location we will not be conducting the same type of Community Analysis that we have done at the other sites.
This location is a transition zone between the old and the new Cascades
Here the vegetation is a mix of what one would find in both the old and the new Cascades
Due to the season these videos were filmed, many of the deciduous trees have not yet leafed out so the species identified are conifers. Pictures of the deciduous trees are below.

Overview of Lost Prairie

Where are we in the Cascade Range?
How is this location different from other sites we have visited?

Deciduous Plant Species at Lost Prairie

Blue Elderberry

Cascara

Mountain Ash

Red osier Dogwood

Continue at Lost Prairie

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