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West Elk Mrrte herbaceous layei were both well developed. Amelanchier alnifolia, Quercus gambe[ii, and Prunus virginiana were the prevalent species in the mid-level shrub layer (1-3 m.). Caret geyeri dominated the low herbaceous layer, though many herbaceous species were present in this community (20 species total). Four life-forms were encountered during the sampling of the aspen community. They included graminoids, fortis, woody shrubs, and trees. Thirty-four individual plant species were identified during sampling. Of the different life-forms, five species were graminoids, fifteen were fortis, thirteen were shrubs, and one was a tree. The shrubs were divided into low, medium,-and tall shrubs, with.Mahonia repens and Paxistima myrsinites (mountain ]over) being characteristic of the low shrubs, Rites parviflorum (gooseberry) and Rosa woodsii chazacterizing the medium shrubs and Amelanchier alnifolia and Prunus virginiana representing the talc shrubs. Of [he species encountered, all were perennial. -All graminoid and forb species encountered were identified as cool season. Woody species were divided in morphologic type, with twelve being deciduous and two evergreen. Thirty-one species were native in origin and three were introduced. None of the species encountered were designated noxious weed species. The plant species encountered and their characteristics are presented in Table 1 of Exhibit 32A. 1996 Riparian Community Samnlin~ The riparian community within the Sylvester-Gulch study area was composed of dominant Acer negundo, Picea pungens and Populus angustifolia trees fozming a canopy, whose nature (open or closed) was dependent on the topographic character of the drainage at a specific location. The canopy was tall {5-15 meters); and comprised primarily of mature individuals of the dominant tree species. The understory was variable in both species dominance and composition and was comprised of two layers, a medium height shrub layer (I-3 meters) and a low herbaceous layer (<0,5 meters high). In the majority of locations, the canopy was relatively closed, though both the understory shrub layer and the low herbaceous layer were well developed. Symphoricarpos rotundifolius was the only shrub species that was present above the three percent relative cover threshold. Poa pratensis and Dactylis glomerata (orchardgrass) dominated the herbaceous layer. The riparian community contained the highest number of species of the three communities sampled (43), with greater numbers of forts and graminoids than either the aspen or oakbmsh communities. Four life-forms were encountered during the sampling of the riparian community. They included graminoids, fortis, woody shrubs, and trees. Forty-three individual plant species were identified during quantitative cover sampling. Eight graminoid species (including one rush, one sedge, and two species of horsetails) were represented, as were eighteen forb species, thirteen shrub species, and four tree species. As with the aspen community, the riparian community is stratified by species and physiognomy. The dominant tree species form an upper canopy, with shrubs divided into ]ow, medium, and tall strata. Graminoids and forts form a low herbaceous layer close to the ground (<0.5 meters high). Mahonia repens and Paxistima myrsinites ehazacterize the tow or sub-shrubs, Symphoricarpos rotundifolius the medium shrub layer, and Crataegus rivularis (hawthorn), Betula fontinalis (river birch), and Salix monticola representing the tall shrubs. Notably, thirteen of the forty-three species encountered in the riparian community were uriyue to this community. Of the species encountered, perennials t~~ere dominant, with one biennial and one annual present. One warm season species was found, with the remaining species being cool season. Deciduous species outnumbered evergreen species in the woody plants by a margin of twelve to five. Seven of the 2.04-155 Revised Apnl2009 PRIG