Pre-Lab

Field Trip Pre-lab

Before you begin the Virtual Cascades Field Trip, investigate the vegetation in each of the ecoregions we will visit. Pay attention to the county boundaries and compare the vegetation distribution map of the ecoregions of Oregon with the map below showing our route and answer the questions in the pre-lab. Completing the pre-lab before beginning the tour of this website, will help situate you in each of the field trip sites and will familiarize you with the different ecoregions you will visit on this field trip.

Access the map online

• Ecoregions of Oregon (front)

• Ecoregions of Oregon (back)

You will have to enlarge the image using the plus button (+) to be able to read it. Look to the right of the map for the full description of each ecoregion. Read the appropriate description too.

Before the trip, compare the map below to the detailed map of ecoregions. Your objective is to identify which ecoregion is represented by the numbers on the map of our trip. Here are a few tips to help you understand the ecoregion map:

• Unless you are a hawk (with very keen eyesight), you will need to enlarge the map to read it.

• The key to the color-coding for each ecoregion is at the bottom of the map.

• The description of each ecoregion is to the right of the map.

• Level III ecoregions are numbered.

• Level IV ecoregions are the lettered subdivisions of the level III numbering.

• Salem, Lebanon, and Sisters are on the map. Use them as a guide to our route.

• Be logical: the Rogue River is in southern Oregon so it is not reasonable to conclude that we will encounter the Rogue Ecoregion on our trip.

To situate yourself in our ecoregion, read the descriptions for 3b, 3c, and 3d about the Willamette Valley. As we travel up and over the Cascade Range we will use the Valley as a starting point for our comparisons. Consequently, #1 on the map below represents an oak savannah and forested park near Salem, called Bonesteele County Park.