ECOSYSTEMS > INLAND OREGON
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At first glance it may be hard to see the difference between a woodland and a forest. Both may be characterized by tall trees (an overstory) and lower shrubs (an understory). The main difference between them has to do with density. The thick forest canopy may prevent sunshine from ever reaching the ground, casting it in endless shadow. Woodlands, however, have a broken tree cover which allows a diverse understory including many light-dependent plants like grasses. In many cases, a woodland is a transition zone between other ecosystems and the forest.

Types of Oregon Woodlands:

As with forests, woodlands are often classified by their dominant tree type. Some woodland types found in Oregon include the following:

Dominated by the Douglas-fir and Pacific madrone trees, these drier woodlands can be found throughout western Oregon.

This widespread woodland habitat is characterized by a mixture of bigleaf maple, red alder and various conifers.

Dominated by oak trees, these woodlands are found primarily in western Oregon in areas of the Willamette Valley and the Coast Range Mountains.

Features Related to Woodlands:

Upper and Lower Table Rocks: These unique volcanic formations located outside Medford have some unusual secrets, including rare plants, animals and ecosystems.