Biological soil crust survey - Rome Cliffs area, T31S, R41E, Sec. 32, Malheur County, Oregon, Revised

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The Rome Cliffs Area and associated zeolite deposits are located in the vicinity of Rome, Oregon, approximately 130 km (as the crow flies) southwest of the town of Vale. Neogene and Quaternary volcanic and sedimentary rocks are the primary outcroppings in this area (Sheppard 1987). The zeolites and associated minerals occur in a sequence of alluvial and lacustrine volcaniclastic rocks known informally as the Rome beds (Sheppard 1987). The beds are nearly 100 m thick and consist of an alluvial and lacustrine sequence of conglomerate, mudstone, sandstone, tuff, and minor limestone and chert (Sheppard 1987). The rocks of the Rome beds are primarily volcanic except for minor limestone, chert, and mudstone. It is largely because of this area’s unique and varied geology and soils that botanists have been interested in its flora for many years, as the soils support at least six, and possibly more, edaphic endemic and other uncommon vascular plant species. <br>

Although relatively distant from large population centers, the unique geology and accessibility of this area (near a major highway, moderate topography, 2-track roads traverse the site) lends itself to the potential for unmanageable off-road vehicle activity. It is important to determine resource values under current conditions, since it is expected that planning documents will be needed for this area in the not too distant future. <br>

As mentioned above, vascular plant surveys have turned up several uncommon taxa in the Rome area, specifically at Sec. 32, Township 31S, Range 41E. According to local botanists, additional inventories are still needed in this area (Don Mansfield, College of Idaho, personal communication, 2009). For the lower plants, including lichens and bryophytes, surveys in this or other regions of eastern Oregon have been limited. In 1984, Mayfield and Kjelmyr identified 14 bryophyte and 7 lichen taxa from the Boardman Research Natural Area in north-central Oregon. While investigating biological soil crust composition in relation to soil chemistry, climate, and livestock grazing, Ponzetti and McCune (2001) identified 48 taxa or morphological groups at nine shrub-steppe sites in central and eastern Oregon. None of these sites were extensively surveyed, but transect sampling was intensive and to the species level whenever possible. Of the nine sites, the closest one to Rome is nearly 180 km to the west. DeBolt (2008) identified 47 biological soil crust taxa during an inventory of the Birch Creek area, 50 km northeast of Rome. Prior to the 2008 inventory, systematic surveys for these organisms in this part of the state are not believed to exist. <br>

Biological soil crusts are a close association between soil particles and cyanobacteria, microfungi, algae, lichens, and bryophytes (mosses, liverworts) which live within or on top of the uppermost millimeters of soil (Belnap et al. 2001). They are found in all dryland regions of the world and in all vegetation types within these lands, including the arid and semi-arid regions of North America (Rosentreter and Belnap 2001). Also known as cryptobiotic crusts, biotic crusts, microbiotic crusts, and cryptogamic crusts, biological soil crusts are often overlooked due to their tendency to blend in with the soil; thus, they are seldom collected. Due to the small size and fragility of the specimens, they can be difficult to return to the lab intact and suitable for species determination. However, the ecological importance of these organisms in nutrient cycling, moisture storage, and soil stabilization has been well documented (Belnap et al. 2001, Hilty et al. 2004, Ponzetti et al. 2007, Rosentreter et al. 2007, Serpe et al. 2007), and will not be discussed further in this report. <br>

At the request of the Bureau of Land Management, this project was divided into two parts. Part 1 included the field inventory of Sec. 32 west of Rome, Oregon to: (1) identify which soil-occurring lichen and bryophyte taxa are present in this unique area; (2) prepare a herbarium reference collection of all species observed, including duplicates whenever possible; and (3) determine if taxa differ by habitat and soil type. Part 1 has been completed and delivered to the BLM. Part 2 consists of the preparation and printing of this report, which consolidates and summarizes all field findings and photographs. It is hoped that these products will be useful to the Bureau during the preparation of future planning documents, and in furtherance of our knowledge of an important but poorly known component of the ecosystem.

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Reference Code: U10DEB01IDUS <br>

Full Citation: DeBolt A. 2010. Biological soil crust survey - Rome Cliffs area, T31S, R41E, Sec. 32, Malheur County, Oregon, Revised. Report prepared for the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office, Portland. 25pp. <br>

Location: ELECTRONIC FILE - BOTANY: MULTIPLE SPECIES <br>

Keywords: biological soil crusts, Rome Cliffs Area, cyanobacteria, microfungi, algae, lichens, bryophytes, cryptobiotic crusts, biotic crusts, microbiotic crusts, cryptogamic crusts <br>