Biodiversity Guide - The Intertwine

egional conservation strategybiodiversity guideContentsShorelines and Mudflats.....................................................................................................................................29Examples within the Region......................................................................................................................51Historical and Current Occurrence..........................................................................................................30Entities Working on the Issue...................................................................................................................51Wildlife Use.................................................................................................................................................30Threats and Challenges..............................................................................................................................51Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................31Likely Effects of Climate Change..............................................................................................................52For More Information................................................................................................................................31Important Management Strategies...........................................................................................................52Riparian and Bottomland Hardwood Forests...........................................................................................32Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................52Historical and Current Occurrence..........................................................................................................32For More Information................................................................................................................................53Important Processes and Species..............................................................................................................32Upland Prairie, Wet Prairie, and Rocky Balds..........................................................................................53Threats and Challenges..............................................................................................................................33Historical and Current Occurrence..........................................................................................................54Likely Effects of Climate Change..............................................................................................................34Condition of Existing Prairies...................................................................................................................54Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................34Important Flora and Fauna.......................................................................................................................55For More Information................................................................................................................................35Entities Working on the Issue...................................................................................................................56Shrub Habitat..................................................................................................................................................35Threats and Challenges..............................................................................................................................56Historical and Current Occurrence..........................................................................................................35Likely Effects of Climate Change..............................................................................................................57Important Processes and Disturbances...................................................................................................36Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................57Shrub Species and Wildlife Use................................................................................................................36For More Information................................................................................................................................58Threats and Challenges..............................................................................................................................36Special Habitat Features................................................................................................................................59Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................37Snags and Downed Wood..........................................................................................................................59For More Information................................................................................................................................37Forest Openings..........................................................................................................................................59Wetlands...........................................................................................................................................................38Rock Habitats..............................................................................................................................................59Major Wetland Types in the Greater Portland-Vancouver Region......................................................38Bretz Flood Features...................................................................................................................................60Historical and Current Occurrence..........................................................................................................40Springs and Seeps.......................................................................................................................................60Wetland Plant and Wildlife Species..........................................................................................................41Vernal Pools.................................................................................................................................................60Threats to Wetlands....................................................................................................................................42Fens...............................................................................................................................................................60Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................42Off-Channel Habitats.................................................................................................................................60For More Information................................................................................................................................43Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................61Upland Forests................................................................................................................................................43For More Information................................................................................................................................61Old-growth Forests and Changes since 1850..........................................................................................44iiCurrent Conditions....................................................................................................................................44Biodiversity..................................................................................................................................................44Landscape Issues.........................................................................................................................................45Threats and Challenges..............................................................................................................................45Conservation Strategies and Opportunities............................................................................................46For More Information................................................................................................................................46Oak Woodland and Savanna........................................................................................................................47Importance of Oak Habitat to Wildlife....................................................................................................48Flora of Oregon White Oak Habitats.......................................................................................................49Importance to Native Americans.............................................................................................................50Historical and Current Occurrence..........................................................................................................50Distribution of Oak Habitats in the Region............................................................................................50Condition of Existing Oak Habitats.........................................................................................................50Chapter 4 Flora of the Region.......................................................................................................................63How Does Flora Provide Habitat?...............................................................................................................63Rare Species in the Region............................................................................................................................64Threats and Challenges..................................................................................................................................64Habitat Loss and Fragmentation...............................................................................................................64Invasive Species...........................................................................................................................................64Population Genetics...................................................................................................................................65Lack of Knowledge.....................................................................................................................................65Lack of Plant Material Availability...........................................................................................................66Likely Effects of Climate Change.................................................................................................................66Priority Conservation and Restoration Strategies....................................................................................66Survey the Region’s (Rare) Plants.............................................................................................................66Conduct Site-level Surveys before Site-disturbing Activities................................................................67iii