Central Oregon - Ecology

Ecology

Unlike the wetter regions west of the Cascades, plant and animal life is less diverse but hardier due to the arid nature of the region. Plant life, though not suitable for truly arid regions to the south, have evolved several defenses against water loss, as well as adaptions related to the yearly fires that burn through the region. Trees, such as the Ponderosa Pine, have thicker bark and do not bleed sap as profusely as trees to the west. Likewise, this thicker bark doesn't burn very easily. In fact, the Ponderosa requires small brush fires to burn through, as their cones are opened by the heat of the passing fires. Likewise, plants such as the Black Sagebrush and Cheatgrass occur frequently within the region, especially among the shorter western juniper. There are also many different species of wildflower.

Central Oregon has a wide variety of habitats including mountain high country, conifer forest lands, riparian areas, high desert, and alkali flats. These habitats are home to many animal species. Common large mammals include American black bear, cougar, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, red fox, mule deer, black-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain elk, pronghorn, and bighorn sheep. Examples of smaller mammals found in Central Oregon are beaver, raccoon, weasel, otter, mink, fisher, marten, striped skunk, black-tailed jackrabbit, mountain cottontail, pygmy rabbit, golden-mantled ground squirrel, and least chipmunk.

Twelve species of hawks and eagles are found in Central Oregon. There are also five falcon species. These birds of prey include Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, Northern Goshawk, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawk, American kestrel, Prairie falcon, and Peregrine falcon. There are thirteen owl species, including Barn owl, Barred owl, Boreal owl, Burrowing owl, Great Gray Owl, and Great Horned Owl. Turkey Vultures are also common. Central Oregon is home to seven woodpecker species, including Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, and Lewis's Woodpecker. Northern Flickers are found in the Central Oregon woodlands. There are a number of smaller birds as well. These include various larks, tanagers, swallows, jays, crows, chickadees, wrentits, dippers, nuthatches, wrens, thrushes, and grosbeaks.

There are nine snake species found in Central Oregon. These include Western rattlesnake, Gopher snake, Rubber boa, Northwestern garter snake, and Common garter snake. There are also numerous turtles, lizards, and frogs native to the region. These include Western pond turtle, Common collared lizard, Northern alligator lizard, Sagebrush lizard, Short-horned lizard, Western fence lizard, Western skink, Bullfrog, and Cascades frog.

Historically, the local rivers have also been populated by several species of Pacific Ocean salmon. However, because of the numerous hydroelectric dams on the Columbia, there has been a reduction in the number of ocean-going species of fish.