APPENDIX F - Special Areas Report Within the Callahan Watershed are two specially tation and enjoyment. A site-specific management designated areas which are under special plan has not been completed for this SIA. management direction in the Klamath National Forest CONIFER SPECIES Land and Resource Management Plan (Forest Plan). These are the proposed Sugar Creek Research TRUE FIRS Natural Area (RNA) and the Duck Lakes Botanical Abies amabilis Pacific silver fir Special Interest Area (SIA). Except for a small sliver *Abies concolor white fir of the Sugar Creek RNA, both areas are within the *Abies lasiocarpa subalpine fir Russian Wilderness. Abies magnifica red fir *Abies magnifica var. shastensis Shasta red fir The unique value of these areas is the remarkable Abies procera noble fir conifer species diversity they contain. The Sugar Abies magnifica x procera red fir x noble fir Creek and Duck Lake Creek drainages and mountains Abies concolor x grandis white fir x grand fir contain the richest assemblage of conifers in the world; 17 species within one square mile. This conifer CYPRESS FAMILY diversity is the result of several factors. A number of *Calocedrus decurrens incense-cedar species are believed to be relicts of the last glacial Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Port-Orford-cedar period, where they occur on Russian Peak (8,200 Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Alaska yellow cedar feet) and several ridgetop sites over 7,600 feet. The Cupressus bakeri Baker cypress deep glacial valleys 2,000 feet below these sites *Juniperus communis common juniper create a wide range of elevations and associated Juniperus occidentalis western juniper climates and habitats. The areas tend to have many abrupt changes in habitat which allow many species SPRUCES not normally found together to occur close to each *Picea breweriana Brewer spruce other. The diverse fire history and patterns in the *Picea engelmannii Engelmann spruce Klamath Mountains contribute to plant diversity. In addition to conifer diversity, the vascular plant flora is generally quite rich, with nearly 400 species PINES documented. The areas contain plant species more *Pinus albicaulis whitebark pine commonly associated with the adjacent Cascade Pinus attenuata knobcone pine Range, North Coast Range, and Great Basin *Pinus balfouriana foxtail pine *Pinus contorta lodgepole pine communities. *Pinus jeffreyi Jeffrey pine *Pinus lambertiana sugar pine Sugar Creek RNA - The Forest Plan designated this *Pinus monticola western white pine 3,200 acre drainage for management as part of the *Pinus ponderosa ponderosa pine national system of Research Natural Areas. The Pinus sabiniana digger/gray pine designation has not yet been finalized at the Regional level, but the establishment record is expected to be completed in 1997. Proposed RNAs are to be DOUGLAS-FIR managed as established RNAs, for the maintenance *Pseudotsuga menziesi Douglas-fir of unmodified conditions and natural ecological processes, per the Forest Plan. A primary YEW management goal is to encourage use of the area for *Taxus brevifolia Pacific yew research. A site-specific RNA management pan has not been completed for the Sugar Creek RNA, but HEMLOCK general management guidelines are found in the *Tsuga mertensiana mountain hemlock Forest Plan. *Species within Duck Lake SIA and Sugar Creek RNA Duck Lake Botanical SIA - The Forest Plan designated this 3,600 acre area as a Special Interest SENSITIVE, AND SURVEY AND MANAGE PLANT Area to highlight for the public the unique values of SPECIES the area. The unique ecological values of this SIA are I managed under the Forest Plan and Forest Service The following plant species of special concern are manual to promote public use, education, interpre- known to occur within the watershed. They are either CALLAHAN Ecosystem Analysis MARCH 1997 Appendix F- Special Areas Report Page F - 1 listed as Sensitive by the Regional Forester or as Surveys of projects to be implemented in 1999 or later special Survey and Manage species under the are required by the Northwest Forest Plan. Until Northwest Forest Plan. This information has been population ecology factors are better understood, developed from rare plant surveys that have been prudent management would be to maintain canopy conducted in the watershed at various times over the and soil conditions surrounding known populations. last decade, primarily in conjunction with previous Mycorrhizal connections to host plants near the management planning. These species are being Allotropa is believed to be critical to maintaining viable managed to maintain species viability throughout their populations. range. Specific management direction for each species varies by its designation (Sensitive, or Survey Choiromyces alveolatus, rare truffle. SURVEY and Manage), proposed land management, and AND MANAGE. individual species habitat needs and ecological status. This species is believed to be primarily associated with old-growth Abies forests at mid to high Regional surveys for lichens, fungi, and mosses listed elevations. The species is infrequently found as Survey and Manage species have been started on throughout Oregon and northern California, with one the Scott River District, but have not been conducted occurrence reported from Carter Meadows Summit. within this watershed. These surveys will be started in The species is an underground, mycorrhizal species the Callahan watershed in 1997. One species of rare that contributes to the diet of small mammals, who, in fungus has been reported to occur in the watershed turn, contribute to the dispersal of the fungus. Pre- per the Regional Ecosystem Office data base in project surveys are not required for this species, but Portland. Other species of special concern may be protection of known occurrences is required by the located within the watershed upon further inventory of Northwest Forest Plan. Coarse woody debris is an the area. important structural component of the species' habitat which should be maintained. Allotropa virgata, sugar stick. SURVEY AND MANAGE. Cypripedium montanum, mountain lady's slipper. Allotropa virgata is scattered but uncommon SURVEY AND MANAGE. throughout the Pacific Northwest. It occurs in closed Cypripedium fasciculatum, clustered lady's canopy stands from poles to mature and old-growth slipper. SURVEY AND MANAGE. forests of Douglas-fir, true fir, and lodge pole pine. Its These species generally inhabit shady sites within habitat is generally at higher elevations in dry, well- mature conifer forests. Habitat ranges from dry, rocky drained soils with abundant coarse woody debris and sites to moist seeps and streamsides on a variety of decaying wood (Appendix J2). This species has soil types and plant associations. Populations occur been documented from the Sugar Creek drainage between 1,500 and 5,500 feet in elevation. These within the Russian Wilderness, but other sites are species are both well distributed across the western likely to exist. states, but are not common within their ranges. Several populations are known to exist in the French Allotropa may have limited reproduction as well as Creek and Sugar Creek drainages, on both private limited habitat, which could account for its relative and National Forest lands. rarity. The species is never abundant, and populations are often isolated from each other. This Plants in this genus have a complex ecology in which species is a non-photosynthesizing species which they have underground fungal relationships with other requires underground relationships with fungi, plant species, and frequently obligate single-species decaying logs, and other vascular plants for survival. insect pollinators. Populations of Cypripedium (It may associate with matsutake mushrooms.) Seed montanum tend to be very small with relatively few production and dissemination may also be limiting plants. These biological and ecological factors are factors for species survival. Depending on habitat and believed to account for their rarity and are the limiting climatic conditions, plants may remain dormant factors in their reproductive success. underground for several years between flowering episodes. Seeds, when produced, are minute and The Northwest Forest Plan has identified these have little energy reserves, requiring that they must species as being associated with late successional fall in suitable habitat to germinate. forests. KNF data indicates that these species are frequently found in stands that have been thinned or This species sometimes occurs on sites associated selectively cut, or near roads or trails (Barker 1984). with recent fires, but the exact ecological relationship Other data suggests that populations in Oregon and is unclear. Habitat factors and fire history of known Washington show decline when canopy removal and sites should be analyzed to facilitate more specific soil disturbance occur. identification of stand characteristics conducive for population establishment. The ecological relationships of these species with fire is not clearly understood. Populations have been CALLAHAN Ecosystem Analysis MARCH 1997 Appendix F- Special Areas Report Page F - 2 noted thriving after low intensity fires, but other populations have been destroyed by medium or high Ivesia pickeringii, Pickering's ivesia. SENSITIVE. intensity fires. This species inhabits seasonally wet spots or dry edges of meadows on ultramafic soils. It is a Scott No history of grazing effects on these species has Mountains endemic found in mid-elevations within been documented on