Preacher Meadows

The surveyed area covers 600 acres (243 ha), but the established RNA is 1850 acres (749 ha). Elevations range from 3800 to 5800 ft (1158-1768 m) in the study area and from 3800 to 6835 ft (1158-2083 m) in the RNA. Topography is moderate to steep (30-95 percent slopes) with southeast- and east-facing slopes predominating and some northwest- and southwest-facing slopes. Swift Creek has carved a gorge 90 ft (27 m) deep in one area, and meadowy and forested flats and benches occur above the creek in other areas.

Distinctive Features

Ultrabasic Mixed Coniferous Forest: As the predominant forest type in the area, the ultrabasic mixed coniferous forest in the RNA is typical, both in composition and quality, of forests throughout much of the ultramafic terrain at mid-elevations of the east Klamath Mountains ecological section. Its uniformity of cover and openness are results of the overriding influence of the substrate on vegetation.

Rare Flora: Two species (Cypripedium californicum and Darlingtonia californica) are on List 4 of CNPS.

Ceanothus Diversity: The following species and apparent hybrids are listed: Ceanothus cordulatus, C. cuneatus, C. integerrimus, C. prostratus, C. pumilus, C. velutinus, C. prostratus x pumilus, C. velutinus x prostratus. This diversity of congeners may be useful for systematic and hybridization studies.

Association Types

After analysis of 31 releves, the forested regions of this survey area are all classified as one type. Density and basal area cover are determined by sampling thirty 0.1-acre (0.04-ha) plots. Acreage of each type is based on ecological survey.

Douglas-Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)/Quercus vaccinifolia (84180): 540 acres (219 ha). Uniformity of composition in this forest is striking on all slope aspects and elevations sampled. Canopy cover averages 30-40 percent with Douglas-fir dominant in most of the area. A few of the highest sites have sugar pine (Pinus lambertiana) and white fir (Abies concolor) dominant with some Shasta red fir (Abies magnifica var. shastensis) and western white pine (Pinus monticola). At lower elevations and mesic sites, incense-cedar (Libocedrus decurrens) co-dominates with Douglas-fir. Ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) is also abundant at lower elevations, particularly on southwest-facing aspects or flats. White fir is the predominant reproducer. The high fire frequency (most dominants have scars) may be the reason for relatively low density of mature white fir. 

Sampling indicates an average density of 313 trees/ha and a basal area average of 50.0 m²/ha. A high productivity bench area in the northeast corner of section 17 has densities of 470 trees/ha with average basal area of 99.9 m²/ha. A site index curve based on 10 Douglas-fir trees suggests modest site quality for the area.

The shrub layer is well developed, averaging 80-100 percent cover, with Quercus vaccinifolia comprising 95-100 percent of the shrubs. Driest sites also tend to have Ceanothus prostratus. Along streams, Rhododendron occidentale is the dominant shrub (80-100 percent relative cover) occurring with Ribes roezlii, Rhamnus purshiana, and Spiraea densiflora. Herbs are sparse (about 5 percent cover) throughout this association, the most common being Polygala cornuta.

Meadows (45100, 51120): 60 acres (24 ha). Three distinctive meadow phases occur locally:

Dry meadows occur on vernally wet sites, drying later in the season. They are characterized by Danthonia unispicata, Sisyrinchium bellum, Lotus purshianus, Dichelostemma (Brodiaea) multiflorum, and Calochortus nudus. 

Moist meadows occur on sites that are wet through much of the season, but dry late in the summer. They include such species as Hastingsia (Schoenolirion) alba, Deschampsia caespitosa, Helenium bigelovii, and Danthonia californica. 

Perennially wet meadows occur along the margins of small creeks and in seeps; they contain such species as Darlingtonia californica, Mimulus guttatus, Juncus spp., Carex spp., Narthecium californicum, and occasionally Cypripedium californicum.

Plant Diversity

One hundred sixty-four taxa are listed.

Conflicting Impacts

Although the Granite Creek and Swift Creek trails pass through the area and are well-used, most if not all recreation users are traveling upstream to higher-elevation sites in the wilderness area. There is little or no impact away from the trails in the RNA except at one small campsite at a bridge crossing in the central portion of section 17.