The Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument is the only national monument designated specifically for its biodiversity, and that distinction rests on science.

For decades, the extraordinary richness of this landscape, where three mountain ranges and their ecoregions converge, has drawn researchers working to understand it: professors and students from Southern Oregon University and other institutions, agency biologists, independent scientists, and the community scientists, naturalists, and advocates who have documented its plants, animals, soils, and ecological connections.

Their work is the foundation on which the monument was established and continues to be protected. This page gathers that research and makes it available to everyone who cares about this remarkable place.

Interactive Soils Map

Explore the soils of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. The map below lets you see soil types and properties across the landscape and click any spot to discover what lies beneath it; for the full story of how these soils formed, follow the guided Story Map.

The project was led by researcher Aleksandra Kalisz under Dr. Yakun Zhang, with work spanning Oregon State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison. It was made possible by the Friends Research Fund, with support from Hans Stroo and BLM soil scientist Matthew McClintock.

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Research Database

We are developing a searchable database to host research about the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument in one place, with studies, reports, and resources organized for easy exploration.

More research will be added here as the project takes shape. Check back soon.