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Abstract
This guidebook describes Benjamin Research Natural Area, a 258-ha (637-ac) tract originally established to represent an example of the western juniper/Idaho fescue (
Juniperus occidentalis/Festuca idahoensis) plant association. Subsequent field surveys indicate the predominant vegetation is best characterized as the western juniper/low sagebrush/Idaho fescue plant association. Current vegetation is dominated by western juniper woodland with an understory vegetation mosaic that varies with soil depth. Low sagebrush (
Artemisia arbuscula Nutt.) occurs as the major shrub in shallow or rocky soils, and Wyoming big sagebrush (
Artemisia tridentata Nutt. ssp.
wyomingensis Beetle and Young) predominates in areas with deeper or more finely textured soil
Keywords
Research natural area,
Juniperus occidentalis,
western juniper,
Artemisia arbuscula,
low sagebrush,
Artemisia tridentata ssp wyomingensis,
Wyoming big sagebrush,
Festuca idahoensis,
Idaho fescue,
relict vegetation,
juniper invasion,
juniper woodland,
sagebrush steppe,
Northern Great Basin,
Oregon High Desert
Citation
Schuller, Reid; Halvorson, Ron. 2009. Benjamin Research Natural Area: guidebook supplement 36. Gen. Tech. Rep. PNW-GTR-786. Portland, OR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station. 20 p
