Oregon
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The area of Southwestern Oregon (south of Eugene and west of Crater Lake) contains its largest population centers in Jackson, Douglas, and Josephine counties. Its major cities are Medford, Grants Pass, Ashland, and Coos Bay, with populations of 64,730, 23,270, 19,700, and 15,470, respectively. Humans interact with their ecosystem (a temperate coniferous forest and coast) in a variety of ways, especially because of its booming lumber industry. Major industries in this area include lumber, cattle, recreation and tourism, and fishing (especially in the Coos Bay area). Its major agricultural products are fruits and nuts, cattle, and dairy products. The size of the lumber industry in the area is evident by looking at the largest corporations in the area, which include Boise Cascade, Cascade Wood Products, and Timber Products. The impact of human modification of this ecosystem, clearing trees to be used for wood products, is becoming devastating to the abiotic factors in this region. Pollution of the many lakes and rivers in the area affect water quality, therefore damaging populations of fish, especially salmon. As for recreation, this area is popular for bird watching, camping, fishing, boating, and hiking. There are a number of lakes, rivers, and state parks in the area...