Botanizing in the Oregon Outback

Written by Nadav Mouallem and Clarissa Rodriguez

May 2018

This season IAE has expanded into new territory, with a crew based in Lakeview, OR. Unlike the lush forests west of the Cascades, Lakeview sits on the edge of Oregon’s high desert country and aptly calls itself “The Tallest Town in Oregon” (at elevation of 4,800 ft). Our crew consists of our crew lead, Meaghan, and us two botany technicians (Nadav and Clarissa).

Sagebrush communities are home to a diverse community of plants and animals. However, several sagebrush communities in the Great Basin area have been in danger of transitioning towards juniper woodlands. Juniper trees are out-competing many of the sagebrush species, and causing a transition in the ecosystem.  

The Bureau of Land Management’s Lakeview District has made efforts to restore sagebrush communities to protect the Great Sage-Grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), which feeds almost exclusively on sagebrush, by planning juniper removal projects. This is where we come in! Prior to the juniper removal, our Lakeview crew is on a mission to scout and survey for sensitive species to acquire an accurate count of populations, suitable habitat and any potential threats.

It may be spring, but winter is holding on in Lakeview, OR! We have already experienced a few snow days while out in the field which has made searching for our sensitive species a challenge. Luckily, the weather has started to warm up and we are beginning to see beautiful blooms!

We have been tracking our focal species based on phenology. Two of the species that we found that are early season bloomers are thickstem wild cabbage (Caulanthus crassicaulis) and Anderson’s buttercup (Ranunculus andersonii). The wild cabbage is currently in its vegetative state, however since it is a biennial/perennial, the dried remnants of last years stalk remain standing which has helped us in identifying this species. As for Anderson’s buttercup, this perennial forb favors dry rocky slopes, and is one of the earliest species we observed to be blooming this spring.