Laserfiche WebLink
<br />INTRODUCTION <br />The development of the coal resource in northwestern Colorado <br />will inevitably lead to the disturbance of thousands of acres of <br />the mountain shrub vegetation type. Since much of the area that <br />will be disturbed provides important wildlife habitat, it is essen- <br />tial that the reclamation methods employed result in areas suitable <br />for wildlife use. Few problems are anticipated in establishing <br />herbaceous species. However, information concerning the establish- <br />ment of the native shrubs important to wildlife as food and cover is <br />inadequate at the present. The major objectives of this study are <br />. to provide data concerning the degree of competition between her- <br />baceous and woody species and to determine the most feasible method <br />• or methods of modifying this competition in order to attain esta- <br />blishment of the native shrubs. <br />Major shrub species indigenous to the Colowyo site and included <br />in some phase of the study include: serviceberry, chokecherry, <br />Gambel oak, and snowberry. The methods being investigated for esta- <br />blishment of shrubs include: seeding; transplanting bare-rooted <br />seedlings; planting containerized seedlings or cuttings; transplanting <br />mature shrubs; and reducing herbaceous competition mechanically or <br />with herbicide and transplanting or seeding shrubs into the treated <br />areas. <br /> <br />1 <br />