Desert Plants, Volume 21, Number 1 (June 2005) Item Type Article Authors Gilbert, Edward; Licher, Max Publisher University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) Journal Desert Plants Rights Copyright © Arizona Board of Regents. The University of Arizona. Download date 11/10/2021 04:19:28 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/555883 Volume 21, Number 1 June 2005 Desert Published by The University of Arizona for the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum Plants Flora and Vegetation of the West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, Coconino County, Arizona Edward Gilbert and Max Licher 2 Desert Plants 2005 Desert Plants Volume 21, Number 1, June 2005 A journal devoted to broadening knowledge of plants Published by The University of Arizona indigenous or adapted to arid and sub-arid regions and to for the Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum encouraging the appreciation of these plants. 37615 E. Highway 60 Superior, Arizona 85273-5100 Margaret A. Norem, Editor 2120 E. Allen Road Copyright2005 Tucson, Arizona 85719 The Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of The University ( 520) 318-7046 of Arizona [email protected] The Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum at Superior, Arizona is cooperatively managed by the Arizona State Parks Board, Boyce Thompson Southwestern Arboretum, Inc. and The University of Arizona. Underwriters Supporters 1. Animas Foundation 1. Michael N. Baker 2. Arid Zone Trees 2. Richard G. Beidleman 3. Josiah T. Austin 3. Jeanne Bensema 4. Walter Camp 4. John M. Bridges 5. Mary Hope Dillon 5. Bronson Joy Brown 6. Frank W. Ellis 6. Jack L. Carter 7. Ron Gass, Mountain States Nursery 7. Buford Crites 8. Michal Glines 8. Robert D. Cross 9. Lisa Harris, Harris Environmental Group 9. Douglas Danforth 10. Mary and Gary Irish 10. James Dice 11. Matthew B. Johnson and Patricia A. Rorabagh 11. Theodore L. Esslinger 12. Mr. & Mrs. Greayer Mansfield-Jones 12. William R. Feldman 13. Edward H. Marshall 13. Kay Fowler 14. Paul S. Martin 14. Tom Friedlander 15. Joseph A. Meeker 15. Brooke Gebow 16. Lee J. Miller 16. Judith Gray and Brian McCarthy 17. Victor J. Miller 17. Phil Hebets 18. Robert T. Neher 18. Lisa W. Huckell 19. Robert B. Pape 19. Herbert and Mary Hull 20. John Pierce 20. Vernon & Diane Kliewer 21. Janet Rademacher, Mountain States Nursery 21. Cynthia Lindquist 22. Lori Woods, Recon Consultants, Inc. 22. Bill and Mary Little 23. Dean and Will Anne Ricer 23. James P. Mandaville 24. Alan P. Romspert 24. Christopher Marshall 25. Mark Siegwarth 25. Edwin Minch 26. E. Linwood Smith 26. Elizabeth Moody 27. Keith Taylor 27. Douglas R. Newton 28. Douglas Thieme 28. Ken Pavlicek 29. James Townsend 29. R.T. Ramage 30. Brett Woywood 30. John H. Rumely 31. David Steadman 32. Cheryl Willis 33. Thomas H. Wootten, T&E Incorporated 34. James R. Youse Oak Creek Gilbert and Licher 3 changes within an area. More specifically, the primary Flora and Vegetation of the West objectives were to: 1) document the vascular flora; 2) identify Fork of Oak Creek Canyon, the presence of sensitive, threatened, or endangered plant species and determine any immediate threat; 3) establish the Coconino County, Arizona basic components of a Virtual Flora on the Web, which include an illustrated, interactive checklist along with access to collection data; and 4) describe the general floristic Edward Gilbert composition patterns and habitat types. The University of Arizona Herbarium 1130 E. South Campus Drive Study Site Location and Description Tucson, Arizona 85721 West Fork Canyon of Oak Creek is situated along the Mogollon Rim in the southern part of Coconino County, [email protected] Arizona. This area lies between latitudes 34° 58' 55", 35° 03' 23" and longitude 111 o 44' 30", 111 o 51' 45" and is located Max Lieber in the Wilson Mountain, Dutton Hill, Munds Park, and P.O. Box 1456 Mountainaire U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Quadrangles. The mouth of the Canyon can be accessed about 30 km (18 Sedona, Arizona 86339 mi) south of Flagstaff and 15 km (9 mi) north of Sedona along Highway 89a (Fig. 1). From the highway, the Canyon Introduction zigzags in a west and northerly direction for 18.7 km (11.6 The West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon is a narrow, steep­ mi) until it intersects with FR 231. Measuring from the walled canyon, deeply incised into the northwestern section canyon mouth, the more notable side canyons are: Barney of the Mogollon Rim in southern Coconino County, Arizona. Springs Canyon to the southwest at 8.75 km, an unnamed The mouth of the Canyon is located about 15 km (9 mi) canyon to the north at 1Okm, Casner Cabin Draw to the north north of Sedona along Highway 89A (0.5 mi. north of mile at 15.25 km, and Fernow Draw to the southwest at 16.5 km marker 384). From the highway, the Canyon zigzags to the with an additional split to the southeast a short ways up this west and north for 18.7 km (11.6 mi). Difficult access and side canyon. The rim-to-rim width of the Canyon ranges from poor mining value have protected the West Fork of Oak Creek 600 to a little over 1500 m. The elevation ranges from a from serious human disturbances, keeping much of it in a little under 1610 m (5300 ft) at the mouth of the Canyon to pristine state. The diverse abiotic qualities of the Canyon just less than 2130 m (7000 ft) at the rim. coupled with its placement between two dramatically different biotic zones have produced a canyon of high The south and north rims of West Fork Canyon consist of biodiversity. In an attempt to protect the Canyon and set the outcropping, limestone ledges. The walls of the Canyon are stage for an increased knowledge of natural systems in the made of a series of sheer sandstone cliffs, terraced region, most of the lower six miles of the Canyon was escarpments, and steep wooded slopes. Obscure and designated as the Oak Creek Canyon Research Natural Area infrequent elk trails descend from the rim to the canyon floor. by the United States Forest Service (USFS) in 1951 (USDA These routes are passable though not recommended due to 1951). In the 1970's, the USFS established the West Fork their very difficult and occasionally dangerous character. The Trail along the lower three miles of the creek. The rugged lower 5 km of the Canyon has a well-defined canyon floor, beauty of the steep canyon walls along with the historic fame which is seldom more than 200 m wide. The significant bed of the locality adjacent to the mouth of the Canyon, made of sandy soil lying along the floor supports riparian deciduous known as the "Call of the Canyon" via the Zane Grey novel woodland. Above this point the canyon floor narrows to a of the same name, have contributed to the West Fork Trail creek bed of usually only a few meters. becoming one of the most popular hikes within the Sedona area. The recreational use of the Canyon has especially The study site boundaries are defmed by the northern section increased immensely over the last two decades. Despite the of the Red Rock I Secret Mountain Wilderness boundaries Canyon's appeal and biological importance, little formal that encompass the West Fork Canyon. From the confluence biological study has been completed. ofWest Fork and Oak Creek, the boundary heads north along a ridge, gaining altitude until it reaches the rim at an elevation The Canyon's diverse flora and fauna, coupled with its of2040 m (6700 ft). From this point, the boundary skirts the increasing recreational use, highlight a need for a better north rim, fluctuating no more than 100 m above or below understanding of the interaction between natural systems and an average elevation of 2070 m (6800 ft). The boundary human influences. The overall goal of this floristic study reaches its western limit when it drops down to and crosses was to serve as baseline research that will supply support West Fork Creek just east of Forest Road 231. It continues for future biological studies and better management practices. along the south rim until again dropping down to the West This biological community "snapshot" will also allow for Fork/Oak Creek confluence. The total area within this future comparisons assessing the anthropological and natural 2 boundary has been estimated at 2040ha (20 .4 km , 7. 85 mF). .,. ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 15 ~ !::::-::::.r'JUT , -- -- ~tn.ni'O!"e l m~-~t-'a'JOIIO.<IW Figure 1. West Fork of Oak Creek Canyon. Blue line illustrates the study site boundaries for this project. Green line indicates the Oak Creek ...q- Canyon Research Natural Area boundary (TOPO! 1999) . Oak Creek Gilbert and Licher 5 Interior Chaparral Community. Dominants are Arctostaphy­ Xeric slopes oflower canyon. Interior Chaparral, on rocky los spp. and Quercus spp. dry slopes, intergrade with a Mixed Conifer Association as soil profile builds Mixed Deciduous Woodland. Acer grandidentatum (red! Hanging Garden. Water seeping from the Schnebly Hill orange), Alnus oblongifolia (light green) Sandstone layer has made hanging gardens a common component in lower canyon Lower slopes of canyon tend to support a Douglas-fir I Riparian habitat typical to the lower canyon. This habitat White Fir Series integrated with patches of ponderosa pine type tends to be dominated by riparian obligates. on the more xeric soils. 6 Desert Plants 2005 The Call of the Canyon, the area essentially from the trailhead romanticized the area as a symbol of the wild and rugged parking lot to the mouth of the Canyon, has been inhabited beauty of the West (Grey 1924).