A
cooperative project
of the
USDA Forest Service
Northern Region,
Rocky Mountain Region,
Southwestern Region,
Intermountain Region,
Rocky Mountain Research Station,
and the
Montana Natural Heritage Program
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Shoofly Meadows
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Created: |
1997
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Size: |
926 (acres) |
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Elevation Range: |
5680 - 6720ft |
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Location: |
Shoofly Meadows RNA is located within the eastern Rattlesnake Mountains of west-central Montana, about 20 airmiles (32 km) northeast of Missoula. It is part of the East Fork of Rattlesnake Creek drainage. |
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Shoofly Meadows RNA encompasses a complex of wetlands located at the headwaters of the East Fork of Rattlesnake Creek. The uppermost, main wetland, at the headwaters of the creek is a 24-acre (10 ha) marsh-wet meadow complex at an elevation of 5880 feet (1792 m). Surface water in most of the wetland is ephemeral, however, several small deeper pools have year-round water supporting waterlilies (Nuphar polysepalum) and other aquatic species. Wetland vegetation includes a diversity of herbaceous species: inflated sedge (Carex vesicara), Buxbaum's sedge (Carex buxbaumii), dulichium (Dulichium arundinaceum), pondweed (Potamogeton graminueus), purple cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris), and hooded ladies-tresses (Spiranthes romanzoffiana). Two species of limited distribution are also present: poor sedge (Carex paupercula) and pod grass (Scheuchzeria palustris). Raised hummocks within and adjacent to the wet meadow support a variety of shrub species including: western huckleberry (Vaccinium occidentale), small-leaved laurel (Kalmia microphylla) and Labrador-tea (Ledum glandulosum). The northern bog lemming (Synaptomys borealis) is also known from this marshy area. Downstream of the main wetland area are five sphagnum peatlands located along small tributary streams. These peatlands have thick deposits of peat (1 to 2 meters deep) that cover the entire small valley bottom associated with each channel. Paludified forests are located adjacent to these peatlands. Species commonly present in these peatlands include: sphagnum (S. angustifolium, S. teres, S. subsecundum, S. fuscum and S. riparium), few-flowered spike-rush (Eleocharis pauciflora), Chamisso's cottongrass (Eriophorum chamissonis), water sedge (Carex aquatilis), mud sedge (Carex limosa), round-leaved sundew (Drosera rotundifolia) and English sundew (Drosera angica). A variety of common forest types occupy the uplands surrounding these wetlands. These forests are dominated by lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), and Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii). |
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Climate: |
The closest weather station to the RNA is located in Missoula, about 25 miles (40 km) southwest of the RNA. |
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Enviormential Factors: |
A unique combination of climatic, physical and hydrologic factors has led to the presence of well-developed peatlands along stream drainages within the RNA. Paludification of forests adjacent to the peatlands has occurred. Fire is an important process in upland forest of the RNA; however, this natural process has been interrupted due to fire suppression within and adjacent to the area. |
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DULICHIUM ARUNDINACEUM PA CALAMAGROSTIS CANADENSIS PA CAREX ROSTRATA PA CAREX LIMOSA PA CAREX AQUATILIS PA ABIES LASIOCARPA/CALAMAGROSTIS CANADENSIS PA VACCINIUM OCCIDENTALE DECID. SCRUB SERIES ELEOCHARIS PAUCIFLORA PA |
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