Raider Basin Research Natural Area Establishment Record

The Raider Basin Research Natural Area comprises the upper watersheds of Raider and Hornback creeks. The most distinguishing feature of the RNA is relatively undisturbed stands of old-growth white fir. The white fir stands are characterized by even-aged trees in a closed canopy with more than 80 percent of the overstory being Abies concolor. The sparse herbaceous understory cover typically ranges from 0.2 to 7 percent. Shrubs are uncommon. Other vegetation types within the Raider Basin RNA include whitebark pine forest, northern juniper woodland, montane meadows, subalpine sage scrub, big sagebrush scrub, aspen riparian forest, montane black cottonwood riparian forest, Washoe pine-white fir forest and mountain mahogany scrub. Much of the Raider Basin RNA below 5800 feet (1768 m) consists of rocky exposed volcanic tuff barren of vegetation.