Neskowin Crest

Neskowin Crest Research Natural Area (RNA) is within the Cascade Head Experimental Forest and was established to represent coastal spruce-hemlock forest. The topography of the RNA is rugged with a coastal headland dissected by numerous small drainages. The upper portion of the RNA is boggy with several small springs. Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) dominate forested portions of the RNA, with occasional stands of red alder (Alnus rubra), western redcedar (Thuja plicata) and Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Sword fern (Nephrolepis), Oregon oxalis (Oxalis oregana), deer fern (Blechnum spicant), huckleberry (Gaylussacia), and Salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) are common understory plants.  There are over 60 species of mosses and lichens present in the RNA.  Permanent vegetation plots were established in the RNA beginning in 1979 and data on tree growth and mortality continues to be collected at regular intervals.