to serve as a "nurse crop," preventing 

 wind erosion to the slower germinating 

 permanent grasses and legumes. We have 

 occasionally produced 100 bushels/ ha; 

 thus, the fall feed for migratory water- 

 fowl is plentiful. All deflation plains 

 are flooded by heavy rainfall in winter. 



In one 100-ha (247-acre) planted 

 area, we have counted as many as 2,000 

 geese, hundreds of ducks, and 1,500 

 swans. This use by waterfowl was in 

 contrast to only occasional overnight 

 rest stops in the same area before 

 planting. One flock of geese, which 

 contained marked identifiable members, 

 remained in the area for 6 weeks in mid- 

 winter. The permanent grasses and leg- 

 umes were grazed especially heavily by 

 the swans and northbound black brant 

 ( Branta nigricans ) in the spring. How- 

 ever, repeated plantings tend to build 

 up organic material to the point where 

 disking becomes increasingly difficult. 

 Seeding only barley would lessen this 

 problem. 



The legume, Lotus carniculatus , 

 can survive several months underwater 

 without adverse effect. This plant is 

 heavily grazed by blacktail deer ( Odo- 

 coileus hemionus ). 



Areas bordering the deflation plain 

 may have to be stabilized to avoid dam- 

 age to seeded areas by blown sand. 



Planting of American beachgrass ( Ammo- 

 ph ila arenaria ) and woody species will 

 afford protection and provide excellent 

 nesting areas with dense protective 

 cover. 



In the Oregon dunes, we also an- 

 nually release ring-necked pheasants 

 (Phasianus colchicus ). However, the 

 ever-increasing vegetation makes hunting 

 difficult. The transplanting of beaver 

 ( Castor canadensis ) also increased water 

 tables throughout much of the deflation 

 plains. Be cautious, however, because 

 vegetative plantings may result in total 

 natural revegetation of the entire de- 

 flation plain. Even though a planting 

 makes excellent habitat.it also cuts off 

 the ocean supply of sand. Our plantings 

 have been cooperative efforts between 

 the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission 

 and Federal landowners (U.S. Forest Ser- 

 vice or BLM). 



In my 34 yr of experience, no other 

 areas produced results as quickly. The 

 Oregon Coastal Conservation and Develop- 

 ment Commission in our Coastal Zone 

 Management program requests clear iden- 

 tification of all potential deflation 

 plains sites and encourages their pre- 

 servation. With the ever-increasing en- 

 croachment of man's activities on exist- 

 ing coastal habitats, these areas should 

 be preserved whenever practical. 



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