Upland Prairie and Savanna
Upland prairies are among the most threatened ecosystems in Oregon. In the past, these open grasslands occurred across the Willamette Valley and were maintained by seasonal fires that Native Americans set. They are vegetated by perennial grasses and annual or perennial herbaceous flowering plants. When an upland prairie contains a few widely spaced, open grown Oregon white oaks, Douglas-fir, or ponderosa pines per acre, it is called a savanna. Upland prairies and savanna typically occur on sloped, well-drained soils near the valley bottom and into the foothills of the Cascades and Coast Range.
McDonald Forest outside Corvallis © C. Durbecq
Forests
Bottomland forests, riparian forests, oak woodlands, and mixed hardwood-conifer forests all occur in Benton County. They differ by species composition and landscape position. Healthy forests have overstory, understory, shrubs, and herbaceous plant layers. Learn more about each type of forest habitat:
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Oak woodland
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Bottomland forest
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Mixed hardwood-conifer forest
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Riparian forest
Willamette River © C. Durbecq
Riparian Areas
Riparian areas are defined by NRCS as ecosystems that occur along waterways and water bodies. They serve as the transition between aquatic and terrestrial zones. Properly managed riparian areas provide property owners and the environment with numerous benefits. For example, plant roots provide the bank with increased stability and minimize sediment runoff. Riparian buffers should be at least 25 to 100 feet wide depending on surrounding land uses. A healthy riparian area is highly vegetated with native shrubs and trees, shades the waterway, and contains an abundance of woody and organic debris.
Healthy Riparian Areas…
- Improve water quality
- Reduce flooding
- Decrease erosion
- Protect fish habitat
- Provide nutrients
- Enhance wildlife habitat
floodplain diagram including floodway and flood fringes
Floodplains
Flooding is a natural stream process. A floodplain is the nutrient-rich land that is inundated with water during floods. These areas allow flood waters to spread out and slow down, reducing their erosive force. This process encourages aquifer recharge as water seeps into the soil. A permit is required for all development in the 100-year floodplain.
wetlands
Wetlands
Wetlands are important Willamette Valley habitats that provide shelter and breeding areas for thousands of species. They reduce flooding by storing water and improve water quality through their filtering and cleansing abilities. Wetlands are characterized by their hydrology, hydric soils and water-tolerant vegetation. Wetlands used to cover much of the valley floor, but many acres have since been drained for agriculture or development. Because of their importance and rarity, they are protected. Before making changes to your property, contact Benton SWCD to determine if you have hydric soils. If hydric soils are present, check with Department of State Lands to see if you have a wetland. Wetlands are considered waters of the state. Projects that will add or remove 50+ cubic yards of soil require permits.
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Shrub Swamp
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Shallow Marsh
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Wet Prairie
Forests
Bottomland forests, riparian forests, oak woodlands, and mixed hardwood-conifer forests all occur in Benton County. They differ by species composition and landscape position. Learn more about each type of forest habitat:
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Oak Woodlands
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Bottomland Forests
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Mixed Hardwood/Conifer Forest or Woodland
Newly planted trees and fence installation along the Luckiamute River.
Riparian Areas
Riparian areas are defined by NRCS as ecosystems that occur along waterways and water bodies. They serve as the transition between aquatic and terrestrial zones. Properly managed riparian areas provide property owners and the environment with numerous benefits. For example, plant roots provide the bank with increased stability and minimize sediment runoff. Riparian buffers should be at least 25 to 100 feet wide depending on surrounding land uses. A healthy riparian area is highly vegetated with native shrubs and trees, shades the waterway, and contains an abundance of woody and organic debris.
Healthy Riparian Areas…
- Improve water quality.
- Reduce flooding.
- Decrease erosion.
- Protect fish habitat.
- Provide nutrients.
- Enhance wildlife habitat.
Program Contacts
Related Blog Posts
Troy Abercrombie | October 29, 2021
In April of 2021, Benton SWCD welcomed Michael Ahr as our Natural Resources Conservation Program Manager. Michael immediately hit the ground running as he and his team took on multiple inventories on the Willamette this summer, searching out Ludwigia and yellow floating heart and complementing the work of colleagues from Willamette Riverkeeper.
Laura Brown | September 9, 2021
A compilation of presentations and resources from the 2020 State of the Willamette workshop for Willamette Basin restoration partners to share perspectives on the current state of river restoration practice, science, funding, and ways to improve restoration outcomes from local to regional scales.
Teresa Matteson | April 8, 2021
Can information from the soil explain why some prairie restoration efforts are more successful than others? In 2016, the Prairie Soils for Sustainable Restoration project set out to find the answer, thanks to funding from Oregon Natural Resources Conservation Service.
For additional information, we recommend:
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Oak Creek Tour 2009
Oak Creek Tour 2009: Forest, Farms, and Football. Explore Oak Creek.
Discover how forests, farms and football affect the water quality and stream dynamics of Oak Creek. Learn how past and present management practices along the Creek continue to transform the landscape. -
Dixon Crk Tour 2013 Share The Stream
Dixon Creek Tour: Share the Stream. Discover Dixon Creek. Visit five fascinating locations to see examples of low impact design that help keep the creek beautiful and healthy for us and our fish and wildlife neighbors as the landscape becomes increasingly urbanized.
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Dixon Creek Tour 2008
Dixon Creek Tour 2008: Get acquainted with Dixon Creek Watershed. Discover wild places in the city, urban influences on the creek, and how to become a steward.
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Newton Creek Tour Brochure
Newton Creek Tour. Visit five fascinating locations and learn how humans and wildlife have used and altered the landscape. Learn more about the history, ecology, and importance of Newton Creek to the Philomath community.
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Dunawi Creek Tour Brochure 2010
Blackberry Jones and the Invaders of Dunawi Creek: Explore Dunawi Creek with this self-guided creek tour brochure.
Discover wild places in the city, urban influences on the creek and how to keep the creek beautiful and healthy.
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