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1 <br />' Results <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br />Mean vegetation cover values for both the reclaimed and reference areas are summarized in <br />Table A-1. The raw data for each transect is found in Tables 2A and 2B. Data summaries for <br />each area are provided in Tables 3A and 3B. Transect locations for the reference and reclaimed <br />areas are shown on Figures 3 and 4, respectively. <br />Mean vegetative cover on the reclaimed and reference areas was 44.5 percent and 46.0 percent, <br />respectively. Bare soil accounted for 21.9 percent of the absolute cover on the reclaimed area <br />and 18.1 percent on the reference area. Litter comprised 32.2 percent and 32.1 percent of the <br />reclaimed and reference areas, respectively. <br />Species Diversity <br />The permit states: Slurco will establish a reclaimed vegetation community with a minimum of <br />six (6) principal species, of which three (3) will be cool season grasses, two (2) will be shrubs, <br />and one (1) will be a forb. Additionally, within the post mining community cool season grasses <br />will contribute 7 to 35 percent of the total diversity and forbs will contribute 1 to 5 percent of <br />total diversity. The following criterion will also be considered. <br />1. Of the three principal cool season grass species, no single species should <br />comprise greater than 40 percent of the relative importance of this component. <br />2. Diversity calculations will be based on relative cover values by species, obtained <br />during the sampling program during the liability period. Sufficient numbers of <br />samples will be taken to insure that the requirements of sample adequacy are met. <br />The reclaimed area had a higher species diversity, with 18 species detected, than did the <br />reference area, where only 11 species were sampled. The reclaimed area contains greater than <br />six principal species including cool season grasses, shrubs, and forbs. Cool season grasses <br />currently comprise 65 percent of the total diversity while forbs currently comprise 34 percent <br />(Table 3A). These percentages are above those expressed in the permit for Phase III release, <br />however, are progressing toward the standard. <br /> TABLE A-1 <br />' Summary of Sample Adequacy Calculations <br /> Canadian Strip Mine - 1995 Point-intercept Transects <br />' Computed <br /> Mean Vegetation Standard Actual Adequate <br /> Area Cover (Percent) Deviation Sample Size Sample Size <br />' Reclaimed Area IV 44.5 5.57 <br />--------------------------------------------------------- 8 <br />-------------------- 5.7 <br />--------------- <br /> Reference Area 46.0 7.39 10 9.0 <br />' <br />' A-2 <br />