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_ 2.0 MATERIALS AND METHODS <br />• <br />2.1 Experimental DesiAa <br />Several different revegetation techniques were instituted on the <br />'~, refuse pile test plots in order to generate data specific to the objec- <br />fives of this study. Test plots constructed for this experiment were <br />r- designed to test the effects that slope, aspect, vegetation species, <br />~~ sethod of seeding, and mulching will have on revegetation success and <br />slope stabilization. The benefit of a soil material covering the refuse <br />pile will also be tested. The factors tested and their relationship to <br />environmental influences are discussed below: <br />• Sloe (2:1 vs. 4: 1). Differences in slope are expected to <br />influence the amount and duration of solar radiation striking <br />the plot, which in turn influences rates of soil heating and <br />soil moisture evaporation. An increase in slope angle is <br />expected to increase the risk of soil loss due to higher <br />~. <br />runoff rates. <br />r' • Aspect (north, south, east, west, level). In conjunction with <br />~ slope angle, slope aspect influences the amount and duration <br />of solar radiation striking the plot. North 'and east facing <br />I~ slopes are generally expected to be cooler than south and west <br />facing slopes, especially during the spring and fall. <br />• Soil (topsoil, refuse material). Application of topsoil to a <br />refuse material base is expected to provide a more favorable <br />plant growth medium because of higher organic matter content <br />and higher macro-nutrient levels. Application of topsoil also <br />~ provides a source of weed seeds that germinate and compete <br />!_, with planted species. <br />• Species mixture (xeric, mesic). Revegetation species mixtures <br />were selected oa the basis of relative adaptation to dry <br />` (xeric) sites and to more moist (mesic) sites. It is expected <br />that the xeric mixture will perform best on the steeper, south <br />' facing slopes, and that the mesic mixture will grow best on <br />~~ the steeper north-facing slopes. <br />' • Seeding method (broadcast, drill) and mulching method (crimped <br />• straw, excelsior blanket, hydromulch). Because of material <br />and space limitations, seeding and mulching methods were <br />employed on the slopes and aspects where such methods would be <br />most relevant in a practical revegetation situation. Hydro- <br />- mulch was applied only to 2:1 slopes which are the slopes that <br />would be inaccessible to conventional seed drilling equipment. <br />' The drill seeding method and straw mulch were applied only to <br />_ 4:1 slopes because these slopes are accessible to a seed drill <br />' and a straw crimper. Excelsior blankets were applied to all <br />2 <br />