Laserfiche WebLink
Mandatory Test A): No Overwhelming Dominant <br />No single plant species may exceed 60% relative cover. <br />Alternative Test B): Total Species Density Test <br />In this test, overall reclamation diversity standard is judged based on the species density values observed <br />along with cover sampling in 100 sq.m. sample plots. Species density numbers are subjected to sample <br />adequacy assessment in the usual manner. <br />For purpose of establishing the range of species density within the reference areas, the 75% range of <br />variation is established as: <br />zxs <br />Where: <br />z = the number of standard deviations (both ways from the mean) encompassing <br />75% of the normal distribution (= 1.15; see Rohlf and Sokal 1969, Table P) <br />s = standard deviation (n -1) <br />The standard is the lower bound of the central 75% of the distribution of overall species density in the <br />reference areas. Mathematically this is: <br />Mean reference area species density (no. of species per 100 sq.m.) -1.15s <br />The standard is based on a weighted average as done with cover and production. <br />Note that this test addresses total species density, not just native species density (see Test D) below). <br />Noxious weeds are omitted. The point of addressing total species density, including annual / biennial <br />species and introduced species, is that the total species density is arguably a strong indication of the <br />existence of niche spaces that could eventually be occupied by the native forb and woody plant species <br />typical of the pre- mining plant communities. <br />0 <br />