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5 <br />n <br />LJ <br />Big sage had high seedling densities in most of the test plot <br />area in spite of the fact that it was seeded only on the individual <br />species plots. Big sage seed is wind dispersed and apparently 1975 <br />was a good seed year. Daubenmire(1975)1 states that the disperal <br />distance of big sage seed is 33 m; seedlings on the test plot indi- <br />cate that dispersal distance is as great as 50 m. Thus, to avoid <br />high densities of volunteer big sage seedlings on a reclaimed site <br />the big sane should be removed for at least 50 m around the site. <br />_ However, we are not recommending total elimination of big sage in <br />reclamation. <br />Rabbits were a problem on the revegetation study in 1977. <br />They were responsible for some shrub seedling transplant mortality <br />and also reduced the vegetation cover on some of the individual <br />species seedings. In an attempt to control them, an electric fence <br />was installed above the rodent fence. This method clid not work so <br />a 2" x 4" mesh welded wire fence, 3 feet in heigth was put on the <br />outside of the deer fence, this provided only partial control. <br />During the late spring of 1978 the welded wire fence was installed <br />on the rodent fence, and seems to be effectively controlling the <br />rabbits. <br />Precipitation for the 12-month period of October 30, 1975 <br />to November 1, 1976 was 289 rrm (11.4"). For the 13-month period <br />of November 2, 1976 to December 6, 1977 was 288 mm (11.4"). `~ <br />During the 12-month period of December 7, 1977 to December 19, 1978 <br />precipitation was 400 mm (15.8") (Appendix Table 1). There are no <br />long-term records to compare these values with. However, it is felt <br />that the precipitation for the first two periods was far below nor- <br />mal. The third period (December 1977 thru December 1978) is the <br />first year in three to approach the 1G to 22 inch range expected <br />in the mountain shrub vegetation type. <br />The following sections of this report cover individual studies <br />in the revegetation test area. Each section consists of a brief <br />introduction or explanation of treatments, species seeded or planted, <br />• 1 Daubenmire, R. 1975. Ecology of Artemisia triderztata subs p. • <br />tridentate in the state of Washington. Northwest Sci. 49:24-35. <br />