Nash Crater

Local History

This site is situated between Little Nash Crater (to the north) and Nash Crater.

The last eruption was 500-600 years ago. And the ash fall from Little Nash Crater is up to 50 ft. deep

Introduction to Nash Crater

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: Cascade Crest Montane Forest

Altitude: 3,300 ft.

Precipitation: approx. 68 inches per year

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

Ground Cover -- dead organic matter covering the ground as well as the presence of mosses and herbaceous plants
Herbaceous Layer -- any plant 0-3 feet tall including woody plants (tree seedlings and shrubs) and ferns
Shrub Layer -- any woody plant (tree saplings and shrubs) or fern that are 3-15 feet tall
Understory -- any woody plant (small trees) that are between 15 feet tall and the tallest plants in that community
Canopy -- the tallest trees in the community

Overview of Nash Crater

Keep in mind as you watch the video

How dense is this vegetation?
Is the vegetation diverse?
How tall are the trees?
Is the canopy open?

Continue at Nash Crater

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