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4.0 CONCLUSIONS • In response to the experimental questions raised in 1.0 Objectives, the following conclusions are offered for the second growing season of this egprri~rt: 1_ ~i the end of the second growing season, there were ao signifi- cant differences in planted species density, cover, or produc- tion for either mixture oa the refuse versus topsoiled level plots (Table 3.4-7). Aa important difference between the two plot types is that production on the refuse plots consisted primarily of clover species; production consisted primarily of grass species on the topsoiled plots (Table 3.4-Z and 3). 2. Ia 1979, the xeric mixture contributed the greatest average coves, density, and production over all plots (Table 3.4-1). ~]lS represents a major shift from 1978, when mesic species contributed the greatest average density. This change is attributed to severe seedling mortality among mesic species daring the dry 1978 summer. The greater success by xeric species, especially crested wheatgrass and pubescent wheat- grass, is attributed to better adaptabilitq by xeric species ~to dry summer conditions. In all cases but two, maximum density and production were obtained with a mulch treatment eembined with the xeric mixture. On 2:1 slopes, greatest density was obtained with excelsior on the north aspect, and hydromulch and the control on the south aspect; greatest pradnciioa was obtained with hydromulch on the north aspect, and with hydromulch and excelsior oa the south aspect. The optima production results are the same as 1978; the optimum density treatments are reversed from 1978 (excelsior on the south, hydromulch oa the north). On 4:1 slopes, greatest density was achieved with straw oa the north aspect, and straw and excelsior on the south aspect; greatest production was obtained with straw on the north aspect and with straw, excel- sior, and the control on the south aspect. These data indi- i• ~...- cafe that the drill-straw treatment is performing better 44