Imperiled Species of Oregon’s Coastal Forests
Click on the photos to see more information!
Photo by Roy W. Lowe
Photo by John and Karen Hollingsworth/USFWS
Photo by Tatiana Gettelman/USFWS
Photo courtesy of Bird Alliance of Oregon
Photo by Roy W. Lowe
Marbled Murrelet
The Marbled Murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) is a small seabird native to the Pacific coast which spends most of its life at sea but comes ashore to nest in mature and old-growth forests.
Habitat loss due to logging of old-growth forests poses the greatest threat to Marbled Murrelets. Climate change also affects marine ecosystems, potentially impacting their prey availability.
Learn more: USFWS | ODFW | Bird Alliance of Oregon
Northern Spotted Owl
The Northern Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis caurina) is a medium-sized owl native to old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest region of North America.
Their natural history is intimately tied to the ecology of old-growth forests, making its conservation dependent on the preservation and careful management of these unique forest ecosystems.
Learn more: USFWS | ODFW | Bird Alliance of Oregon
Pacific Marten
The Pacific Marten (Martes caurina) is a small carnivorous mammal native to the Pacific coastal regions of North America, primarily found in dense coniferous forests.
They are susceptible to habitat loss and fragmentation due to logging and human development, restricting their ability to find territories and prey. Conservation and sustainable forest management must be guided by an understanding of these risks.
Red Tree Vole
The Red Tree Vole (Arborimus longicaudus) is a small rodent species native to the Pacific Northwest region of North America, specifically found in parts of Oregon and Washington.
Understanding the natural history of Red Tree Voles is crucial for their conservation and for managing forest ecosystems sustainably.
Silverspot Butterfly
The Oregon Silverspot Butterfly (Speyeria zerene hippolyta) is a subspecies of the Silverspot Butterfly found along the Pacific coast of North America.
Once common on the Oregon coast, populations declined significantly in the 1990s. It is now listed as a threatened species under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, which provides legal protections and mandates conservation efforts to preserve its habitat and population.