The soil profile at one profile pit was described and sampled (see profile no. 87 in the HJA Soils Data Base). Soil in the surface 40 cm-layer was gravelly clay loam with 35-50% gravels and shot. In the 40-100 cm layer the soil was gravelly silty clay loam with 40-45% gravels and shot content. Soil depth ranged from 70 cm to about 1 m. Bulk density was about 0.9 g/cc and organic matter content was 9.7% in the surface and 2.1% in the subsoil.
RS 9 occupied typical landform and aspects for this habitat type but it was somewhat disturbed by trail systems, investigator perturbations, and instability of the streamside location which caused massive trees to fall into and out of the stand. The stand was also smaller than most others--only 20 x 40 m in size. However, vegetation conformed closely to descriptions of the habitat type by Dyrness et al. (1974).
The tree stratum of RS 9 was well developed. Tsuga heterophylla and a few old-growth Pseudotsuga menziesii were dominant. Immature trees were dominated by Tsuga heterophylla, and occasional young Pseudotsuga ocurred in openings left by larger trees falling out of the canopy.
The shrub stratum was well developed. Acer circinatum and Cornus nuttallii were dominant in the tall shrubs and Berberis nervosa and Gaultheria shallon were abundant in the low shrub layer. Taxus brevifolia and Rhododendron were also important within portions of the stand.
The herb layer, clearly dominated by Plystichum munitum, also had large patches and high cover of Coptis laciniata. Many other herb species typically associated with moist sites in Pacific Northwest forests were common: Blechnum spicant, Oxalis oregana, Aralia californica, Vancouveria hexandra, and Smilacina racemosa. The moss layer was also well developed and was dominated by Eurhynchium oreganum.
Ecosystem and Population Dynamics: no data available