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Tree survival and growth data will be compared between watering treatments using analysis of variance. <br />Individual tree leader growth will be regressed against original tree size to investigate the influence of <br />transplant size on survival and growth. <br />5.0 PROPOSED RESPONSIBILITIES <br />It's proposed that Seneca Coal and RMRS share responsibilities for these studies in order to take advantage of <br />our respective resources. RMRS will select and mark trees to be transplanted and design, survey, and layout <br />the study. Seneca Coal will assume responsibility for contracting equipment and manpower to dig and <br />transplant trees, procure and construct the drip irrigation system, and fence the study site. RMRS will <br />supervise transplanting and fence construction, design the drip irrigation system and monitor irrigation system <br />performance. Seneca will furnish the large water tank to feed the system, and keep it supplied with water. <br />RMRS will provide environmental monitoring instruments, collect, process, and analyze all measurements and <br />data, and produce a summary report of results. <br />6.0 SCHEDULE OF WORK <br />Select trees to be transplanted Summer, 2003 <br />Select and survey study site Summer, 2003 <br />Place modified topsoil treatment Summer, 2003 <br />Install irrigation system Prior to Planting <br />Dig and ball transplant trees October, 2003 <br />Plant trees Mid-May, 2004 <br />Construct Fence Immediately after planting trees <br />Operate irrigation system May -August, 2004 <br />Collect tree survival and growth data End of August, 2004 <br />Submit final report January 1, 2005 <br />7.0 FUTURE RESEARCH <br />If first-season drip irrigation proves to be successful in allowing aspen to survive transplanting additional <br />research will be proposed to investigate the remaining questions discussed above. Studies to determine how <br />long supplemental irrigation is needed and whether the transplanted aspen trees will eventually be capable of <br />re-establishing clones through natural root suckering could utilize this existing study installation. If high <br />survival rates are observed, long-term monitoring of this study will yield valuable data on subsequent growth <br />and survival. Alternatively, modification and replication of this study design could determine when and how <br />transplants could be weaned from supplemental watering. <br />¢'IY I'/fmmv/lmellU'/P.4~JlAPpaNv )S l <br />J /3)103 eb <br />