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<br />moderate woody plant density levels. Woody plants can be <br />established in the overall landscape, but when cover and <br />production mu:~t be met, these density levels are realistically <br />achieved at tL:e levels proposed in Tab 22. SCC has collected <br />nine years of intensive vegetation monitoring data at the <br />Seneca II Mini: that supports this conclusion. <br />Dry condition;; in the region over the last five to seven years <br />have had some impact on woody plant density. However, the <br />most signifi~;ant deterrent remains excessive herbaceous <br />competition. Observations of reclaimed sites with good woody <br />density level:~ either have a low cover of herbaceous species, <br />the herbaceous cover developed slowly over time, or annual <br />precipitation was not limiting. The following illustrates how <br />critical reduced competition may be. Site 93-2 is a shrub <br />establishment area at the Seneca II Mine planted with <br />seedlings in fall 1993 (see 1993 Anrnral Reclamation Report, <br />Seneca II Mine). Topsoil was spread in summer 1993 and the <br />site was disked to control weeds prior to planting. One-half <br />of the plot was sprayed with OUST preeaiergent herbicide, while <br />the other half was untreated except fo:r disking. In late July <br />1994, the plot was sampled to track preliminary survival. In <br />two 25-meter x 2-meter plots located in the disked/OUST <br />treatment, 34 woody plants with gen~arally good vigor were <br />found. In two similar plots in the disked only side, a total <br />of only seven woody plants with low vigor were found. The <br />portion of the plot treated with OUST had little or no <br />vegetation, while the disked only side had a heavy cover of <br />weeds. <br />The above illustrates the impact oi° competition on plant <br />establishment. This corresponds to the theories of <br />competition and niche. Species develop competitive mechanisms <br />and competing species cannot occupy the same niche. The <br />species with the competitive edge wi:Ll occupy the available <br />niche. Recl~imation procedures such as seeding and direct <br />hauling of topsoil impact niche avai.Lability and herbaceous <br />species, which have a greater (at least: initially) competitive <br />edge, are established. This meets the regulatory requirements <br />of establishing an effective vegetative cover but has a <br />negative eff<act on woody plant establishment. In range <br />management, many areas that have become dominated by shrubs <br />are considered to be in deteriorated range condition (i.e., <br />reduced herba~~eous competition). when herbaceous species are <br />gradually removed over time, those niches are occupied by <br />woody plants. Quite simply, the establishment of even <br />moderate woody density is an ecological hurdle which cannot be <br />overcome solely by technology, particularly when additional <br />reclamation parameters of cover, production, and diversity <br />must also b.' met. Time and sy:;tem dynamics must be <br />considered. <br />In a study by Johnson (1979), it was found that a minimum of <br />22 <br />