Record Details

Evaluation of Zumwalt Prairie, Wallowa County, Oregon for its merit in meeting national significance criteria as a National Natural Landmark representing Plateau Grasslands in the Columbia Plateau Biophysiographic Province

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Title Evaluation of Zumwalt Prairie, Wallowa County, Oregon for its merit in meeting national significance criteria as a National Natural Landmark representing Plateau Grasslands in the Columbia Plateau Biophysiographic Province
Names Kagan, James S. (creator)
Date Issued 2012-06 (iso8601)
Abstract exceptional examples of the Nation’s biological and geological features. To qualify for
NNL designation, a site must be one of the best examples of a geological or biological
feature within a biophysiographic province. Zumwalt Prairie represents a perfect example
of this concept, containing one of the largest remnants of native bunchgrass prairie in
North America. The site includes deep-soiled bunchgrass prairie, buttes with aspen and
Ponderosa pine, hawthorn shrublands, and a network of vernal pools, scablands and
mounded prairie, all sitting along the edge of Hells Canyon. It supports huge herds of elk,
the only remaining population of sharp-tailed grouse in Oregon, is part of the range of the
only established wolf pack in the state, and is in exceptional ecological condition.
The initial report recommended the site as the best remaining example of Palouse
grasslands, based on an initial theme study, in which four grassland themes were
identified: Lowland and Valley Grasslands, Palouse and Plateau Grasslands, Canyon
Grasslands and Montane Grasslands.After considerable research, collaboration with subject matter experts, and site visits, we conclude that the Zumwalt PNNL still contains the requisite biological and geologic features necessary to support listing as a National Natural Landmark.
Genre Technical Report
Topic Vegetation
Identifier Kagan, J.S. 2012. Evaluation of Zumwalt Prairie, Wallowa County, Oregon for Merit in Meeting National Significance Criteria as a National Natural Landmark to Represent Plateau Grasslands in the Columbia Plateau Biophysiographic Province. National Park Service Technical Report, National Natural Landmarks Program, Fort Collins, CO.

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