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l <br />59 <br />• l diversity indexes comparable to those found in the native community, suggests <br />I that reclaimed spoils may not prove any less stable than the naturally occur- <br />ring site over the long term. <br />l The soils in the reclaimed plots have slightly lower levels of organic <br />1 matter, nitrate-nitrogen, iron, and potassium as compared to the Reference <br />Area soils (Appendix, pages 70-72 ); but, overall the differences are so small <br />as to indicate that the spoils are neither responsible for the lower levels of <br />J observed vegetation growth, nor that they will likely require any amendments <br />of fertilizer now or in the near future. Therefore, any soil amendment tested <br />is prohably adequate to use in reclaiming the Allen Mine spoils, with economics <br />being the major determinant. <br />1 Lastly, the topsoil which is presently stockpiled at the A11en Mine <br />should be graded over the spoils to aid in establishment of vegetation (better <br />• seedbed Lhan spoils), add organic matter, and to favor the formation of a <br />` diverse microbial popu~ation capable of enhancing nutrient cycling, elemental <br />1 solubility, humus production, and a host of other reactions contributing to <br />! pedogenesis and plant growth. The result is a reduction in the long-term <br />i <br />maintenance costs of the reclamation program. Manure, if it's easily acces- <br />I sible and at a reasonable cost, might be spread on the site for the same <br />reasons outlined above. If either or both are to be added as supplements <br />along with fertilizer, cauticn is recommended due to potential rodent proolems <br />and introduction of invading seeds that might compete with seeded species. <br />Slope Plot <br />The 3:1 slopes seem to propose few limitations to revegetation. <br />~ Mulching and fertilization produce stands that appear comparable in biomass, <br />i <br />. cover, and density to those found in the Main plot, with the one exception <br />~~ that diversity is somewhat less. This might lead to problems in the future <br />