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52 <br />The only significant difference (p`.10) found between the gypsum <br />treatments was a higher biomass and cover for invading forbs on the gypsum <br />treated spoils. In general, the addition of gypsum does not appear to in- <br />fluence the establishment and vigor of seeded species at the Allen Mine. <br />The dominant vegetation occurring on the reclaimed spoil piles are <br />seeded grasses, forbs, and invading forbs. The most successful of these <br />species are outlined in Table 14. <br />Slope Plot <br />The 3:1 Slope Plot supported more vigorous growth than the 1.5:1 plots. <br />On the 3.1 incline, Treatment 2 (no topsoil + straw mulch) displayed the <br />healthiest plants and highest cover and density. Treatment 1 was similar to <br />Treatment 2, and Treatment 3 (the topsoiled subplot) showed only fair plant <br />•growth. for the 1.5:1 plots, Treatments 3 and 2 shared honors as being better <br />\ C <br />than Treatment 1, but all three treatments showed poorer growth than the worst <br />treatment on the 3:1 slope. As a final comment, the plastic straw netting was <br />at least 80% intact on Treatment 2 but the straw had decomposed, the excelsior <br />mat covered approximately 85% of the spoils in the 1:3 plots and only 25% on <br />the 1.5:1 grade, and the paper netting on the topsoiled treatment was very <br />fragmented and no longer functional. <br />Species holding some promise for vegetation establishment on sloped <br />areas are intermediate wheatgrass (Agropyron intermedium), slender wheatgrass <br />(Agropyron trachycauZwn), western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), and titer <br />milkvetch (Astragalus titer). <br />Species Evaluation Plot <br />This plot was established to investigate the growth habits of many <br />• species not appearing in the Main Plot mixture in regards to adaptability to e <br />