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When sampled in 2013, forage production averaged 24.83 g/l/4m2 or 884.9 pounds of air-dry
<br />forage per acre. When sampled in 2010, forge production averaged 38.67 g/1/4m2 or 1,378.2
<br />pounds of air-dry forage per acre. When sampled in 2006, forage production was 32.70 g/1/4m2
<br />or 1,165.4.4 pounds of air-dry forage per acre.
<br />Species Diversity. The four most dominant plant species in 2014 contributed 72.14 % of the
<br />total relative plant cover. There were three warm season grass species with greater than 3
<br />percent total relative cover. All warm season grass species contributed 18.96 % of the total
<br />plant cover or 31.60 % of the total relative cover in 2014.
<br />When sampled in 2013, the four dominant species contributed 63.80 % of the total relative
<br />cover. When sampled in 2010, warm season grass species contributed 8.10 % of the total plant
<br />cover or 13.43 % of the total relative cover. The four most dominant plant species contributed
<br />38.20 % of the total plant cover or 63.35 % of the total relative plant cover. When sampled in
<br />2006, warm season grass species contributed 5.33 % of the total plant cover or 13.47 % of the
<br />total relative cover. The four most dominant plant species contributed 24.4 % of the total plant
<br />cover or 57.37 % of the total relative plant cover.
<br />Shrub Density. The results obtained from the sampling of the 30 shrub density are found in
<br />Table 8, Refuse Pile Reclamation - 2014 Shrub Density. This table shows that the woody
<br />plant density averaged 13.57 woody plants per 100 m2 or 549.2 woody plants per acre.
<br />The locations of the 30 shrub density transects sampled are shown on Map 3, Refuse Pile
<br />Reclamation - 2014 Reclamation Monitoring Map. The sample adequacy calculations in
<br />Table 2, 2014 Statistical Summary and Sample Adequacy Calculations, document that the
<br />number of samples required to characterize the parameter of woody plant density at the 90 %
<br />confidence interval was 269.1 transects.
<br />When sampled in 2013, the woody plant density averaged 7.10 woody plants per 100 m2 or
<br />287.3 woody plants per acre. When sampled in 2010, woody plant density averaged 16.00
<br />shrubs per 100 m2 or 647.5 woody plants per acre. When sampled in 2006, woody plant density
<br />averaged 14.60 shrubs per 100 m2 or 590.9 woody plants per acre.
<br />Examination of Map 3, Refuse Pile Reclamation - 2014 Reclamation Monitoring Map,
<br />shows that there are eight shrub clumps located within this reclamation area. These eight shrub
<br />clumps correspond to Shrub Clumps IA, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 21), 2E, and 3E. Maps of each of
<br />these shrub clumps are found on Map 4, Shrub Clump 2B Map; Map 5, Shrub Clump 2C
<br />Map; Map 6, Shrub Clump 2D Map; Map 7, Shrub Clump 1B Map; Map 8, Shrub Clump
<br />2E Map; Map 9, Shrub Clump lA Map; Map 9, Shrub Clump 2A Map; Map 10, Shrub
<br />Clump 2A Map; and, Map 11, Shrub Clump 3E Map. The measured area, total shrub
<br />counts by species are found on each of these maps. The shrubs encountered on these areas are
<br />listed in the tables by the first and last letter of their scientific names, which can be found in
<br />Table 1, Southfield Mine - Plant Species List.
<br />Map 1, Southfield Mine - 2014 Reclamation Study Area Map, shows that the total area of
<br />the Refuse Pile Reclamation Area is 2,020,136 SF or 46.38 acres. The total area of all eight
<br />shrub clumps on this site is 112,139 SF or 2.57 acres and a total of 1,308 shrubs or tree were
<br />encountered within the boundaries of these eight shrub clumps. Thus, the calculated woody
<br />plant density for these eight shrub clumps averaged 508.1 plants per acre. These maps
<br />document that the reclaimed area outside of the shrub clumps was 1,907,997 SF or 43.80 acres.
<br />When expressed as a percentage, the eight shrub clumps comprise 5.56 % of this total area and
<br />the area without shrub clumps corresponds to 94.44 % of this reclaimed area. Application of
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