Laserfiche WebLink
Total average all -hit vegetation cover was 62.3 percent. Allowable all -hit herbaceous vegetation cover <br />was 28.2 percent (Table H-10). Cover by standing dead, litter, bare soil and rock averaged 2.8, 18.1, <br />19.8, and 5.1 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 29.8 species per 100 m2. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Climatic Conditions <br />Precipitation in 2015 was at or above average from the fall of 2014 through the spring of 2015, including <br />an exceptional increase in precipitation during May. 2016 saw a similar trend of at or above average <br />precipitation between the fall of 2015 and the spring of 2016, including an exceptional increase in <br />precipitation during January and April (Figure B-4b). This ample amount of available moisture during the <br />early growing season can cause a boost in germination and an increase in abundance of dominant <br />perennial species in established areas. 2014 and 2015 had above average temperatures between <br />January and June (Figures B-8), which demonstrates an unusual combination of high precipitation with <br />high temperatures. Temperatures decreased to below average in 2016, creating optimal conditions <br />during the growing season. The sampled areas in 2016 exhibited positive plant growth effects as <br />evidenced in elevated foliar cover and/or production, especially in the growth of perennial grasses and <br />forbs which were much more abundant than what has been typical. <br />Sample Adequacy Calculations <br />Sample adequacy based on all -hit allowable herbaceous vegetation cover was achieved in all areas <br />sampled during the 2016 Phase II evaluation (Table B-4). Details of the calculation of allowable <br />herbaceous cover for each area are provided in Tables F-1 through F-7. <br />VEGETATION COVER EVALUATION <br />BRB-2a Cover <br />As described above, a direct comparison of reclaimed area mean to standard is allowed under DRMS <br />rules (CDMG 2005 revised rule, 4.15.11 (2)(a)) when sample adequacy has been demonstrated for the <br />reclaimed and reference areas, each with a minimum of 15 samples. Sample adequacy based on <br />allowable herbaceous all -hit cover values was achieved for BRB-2a and each of the extended reference <br />areas, each with a minimum of 15 samples. Thus, a direct comparison will be used to determine success. <br />16 <br />