Little is known about spatio-temporal dynamics of meadows and shrubs in forested mountain areas, even though they have important ecological roles in mountain ecosystems. The aim of this study is to develop a better understanding of landform effects on origin and spatial distribution of non-forested openings in the central western Cascade Range, Oregon. Non-forest vegetation and landforms were mapped in the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest (6400 ha, 410-1630 m a.s.l.) using orthorectified aerial photographs and airborne LiDAR data. The results of overlaying vegetation with landforms indicate that distribution of non-forested openings is related to topographic position and landform evolution. Most of mesic and dry meadows were on the upper parts of south-facing, smooth slopes where fire frequency is relatively high. Some mesic meadows were also observed in depressions within landslide areas. Shrubs dominated by Acer circinatum often occurred on hammocks and boulder fields in landslide bodies, whether shrubs with Alnus crispa ssp. sinuate mainly observed on north-facing slopes in the cirques where snow gliding takes place. Some meadows and shrubs appear to be ephemeral openings, and others may have a long persistence time in the landslide bodies.