2015-10-13_REVISION - C1981014 (18)

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The locations of the 30 forage production transects are shown on Map 3, Refuse Pile Reclamation - 2013 Reclamation Monitoring Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Table 2, 2013 - Statistical Summary and Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to describe this site at the 90% confidence interval was 20.5 transects. When IME sampled this area in 2010, forage production averaged 38.67 g/1/4m2 or 1,378.2 pounds per acre. When IME sampled a large portion of this area in 2006, the forage production averaged 32.70 g/1/4m2 or 1,165.4 pounds per acre. Species Diversity. In 2013, the four dominant species contributed 38.28% of the total plant cover or 63.80% of the total relative plant cover. Warm season grass species contributed 18.96% of the total plant cover or 31.60% of the total relative cover. The two most dominant warm season plant species contributed 15.76% of the total plant cover or 26.27% of the total relative plant cover. When IME sampled a large portion of this area in 2010, warm season grass species contributed 8.10% of the total plant cover or 13.43% of the total relative cover. The two most dominant warm season plant species contributed 6.1% of the total plant cover or 10.12% of the total relative plant cover. The four most dominant plant species contributed 38.20% of the total plant cover or 63.35% of the total relative plant cover. The total plant cover data collected in 2006 and 2010 show an increasing trend or similar results, a leveling off of plant cover over time. Total plant relative cover shows the trend of increasing over time. When IME sampled a large portion of this area in 2006, warm season grass species contributed 5.33% of the total plant cover or 13.47% of the total relative cover. The two most dominant warm season plant species contributed 4.40% of the total plant cover or 10.35% of the total relative plant cover. The four most dominant plant species contributed 24.4% of the total plant cover or 57.37% of the total relative plant cover. Shrub Density. The results obtained from the sampling of the 30 shrub density are found in Table 8, Refuse Pile Reclamation Study Area - 2013 Shrub Density. This table shows that the woody plant density averaged 7.10 woody plants per 100 m2 or 287.3 woody plants per acre. The locations of the 30 shrub density transects sampled are shown on Map 3, Refuse Pile Reclamation - 2013 Reclamation Monitoring Map. The sample adequacy calculations in Table 2, 2013 - Statistical Summary and Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the number of samples required to characterize the parameter of woody plant density at the 90% confidence interval was 197.3 transects. When IME sampled this area in 2010, the average woody plant density was 16.00 shrubs per 100 m2 or 647.5 woody plants per acre. When IME sampled a large portion of this area in 2006, the average woody plant density was 14.60 shrubs per 100 m2 or 590.9 woody plants per acre. Examination of Map 3, Refuse Pile Reclamation - 2013 reclamation Monitoring Map, shows that there are eight shrub clumps located within this reclamation area. These eight shrub clumps correspond to Shrub Clumps IA, 113, 2A, 213, 2C, 21), 2E, and 3E. Maps of each of these shrub clumps are found on Map 4, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 2B Map; Map 5, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 2C Map; Map 6, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 2D Map; Map 7, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 1B Map; Map 8, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 2E Map; Map 9, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 1A Map; Map 10, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 2A Map; and, Map 11, Refuse Pile - 2013 Shrub Clump 3E Map. The measured area and total woody plant counts by species are found on each of these maps. The shrubs encountered on these areas are listed in the tables by the first and last letter of their scientific names, which can be found in Table 1, Southfield - Plant Species List. 11