Tidal Vegetation Survey - 2003, Lewis and Clark River, Fort Clatsop National Memorial
Sayce K. 2003. Tidal Vegetation Survey - 2003, Lewis and Clark River, Fort Clatsop National Memorial. ShoreBank Pacific. Ilwaco, WA
Report of 2003 survey of intertidal and subtidal habitats along the Lewis & Clark River in the Fort Clatsop National Memorial. The goals of this study were to survey intertidal and subtidal habitats, to record all species present in these and adjacent wetland habitats along the Lewis & Clark River in the Fort Clatsop National Memorial, and to provide documentation for ESA-listed species and for introduced species that impact habitat. One hundred and forty seven species were seen on the river. Of these, 2 were ONHP-listed, and twelve were new collections. The ONHP-listed species appear to have healthy populations in more than three to five locations within the Memorial. No other ONHP-listed species were seen. Forty-four species are introduced, nine of those are invasive and should be controlled to protect habitat quality. In addition, eight other species not yet found in the Memorial should be watched for, and removed when and as they appear. Some sections of the river have very high habitat qualities. These high quality areas are undiked, or were diked many decades ago and have been left alone since. Some sections of the river have lower habitat qualities. These low quality areas were diked or used for log yards; in some units, regular disturbance by grazing continues to this day. These areas are characterized by fewer structural elements, and a replacement of native species with introduced species. One major omission in fieldwork occurred during this study. Due to the lack of access to the river in the Memorial by boat at all tidal stages, little low tide work was done. One area was surveyed with mudwalkers near low tide, other areas were not surveyed. This can be completed with a low tide survey using access points upriver outside the Memorial during the next growing season, and this action is recommended.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Sayce, Kathleen
- Date of Issue
- 2003-12
- Publisher
- ShoreBank Pacific
- Units
- LEWI
- Keywords
- Columbia River Estuary, diked, Endangered, Estuarine, FOCL, Fort Clatsop National Memorial, Habitat, Intertidal, Invasive, Inventory, Iris pseudacorus, Juncus, LEWI, Lewis and Clark River, Lythrum salicaria, myriophyllum, National Wetland Inventory, NPSpecies, NWI, Pacific Northwest, palustrine, Plant, purple loosestrife, Riverine, Rumex, special status, Species, subtidal, Threatened, Tidal, tide, Vegetation, Vegetation Inventory, yellow iris, Youngs Bay Basin