Rare plants of Eastern Oregon and Washington

Rare plants are an important consideration for managing forest health and productivity in eastern Oregon and Washington, USA. The floristic diversity of this area reflects the complex biophysical environment. There are many endemic vascular plants whose ranges lie entirely within this region; many are restricted to very small geographic areas or highly specialized habitats. A common element is adaptation to natural disturbance; non-natural threats include exotic plant invasion, agricultural conversion, road construction, recreation, fire suppression activities, livestock grazing, herbicide spray that reduces pollinators, and altered fire and hydrological regimes. Because various species are adapted to different successional stages, maintaining a diversity of stages would provide for a variety of these species. Restoration of the natural fire regime and reduction of grazing would benefit upland shrub communities. Mitigation of activities for rare plants is site-specific and may include altering the timing, level of intensity, or methods used.Croft "Rare plants of Eastern Oregon and Washington." Northwest Science. 2001; 75(Special issue): 149-15