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<br />Comments on Salt Creek Seed Formula <br />Tha pad far'mula of ,~~ lbe/acre is too high for the precipitation available in <br />the area, especially in the laver' elevations vhere the majority of the <br />disturbance viii take place. A more reaaonahle number vould he from 10, maybe <br />up to 15 lbs/acre, under dry land conditions. <br />You are proposing to seed Sporoholus airoides at about 59 seedlsq. ft. <br />Your are proposing to seed Sporoholus cryptanfrus at about 65 seeds/sq. ft. <br />The remaining grass species are proposed at about 53 seeds/sq.ft. <br />This is a total of lit seedaiaq.ft., and this is just for the grasses. <br />Assuming that one or tvo of the species are aggressive competitors, you are <br />reducing your chances of meeting a diversity goal. These rates are, in my <br />opinion, to high. <br />I have little experience rith the (orbs you are proposing, but the Palmer <br />penetemon is to be seeded at 3.5 seeds/eq.ft. and the kocky Mountain peneteman <br />is to be seeded at 5 seeds/eq.ft. <br />You ar'e proposing to use containerized planting for the shrub species due to <br />poor survival rates for shrubs planted ueing direct seeding. The Grand <br />Junction Resource Area has been direct seeding Atriplex canescens, Atriplex <br />confertifolia, Chryaothemnue nauseoaua, Amelanichier alnifolia, and <br />Cercocaroue montanue for at least the last ten years. We have met vith less <br />than acceptable success in many cases vith the Serviceberry and the mountain <br />mahogany. Horever, ve have had very yeod success vith the aalthush end <br />rabbitbrush species mentioned. Success, although controlled by many factors <br />seems related to competition vith the aggressive grass species. Gn the Hancos <br />desert competition hetveen the aalthuehes and crested vheetgraas is apparent. <br />If the number of individuals of crested vheatgraes is limited or eliminated, <br />in general the saltbushes succeed much mare often. <br />I believe that poor aurvivel rstea of other seeded shrubs, such as true <br />mountain mahogany and serviceberry are related to competition as yell. Since <br />moat grass species do very poorly on Mancos desert and other highly and <br />areas, they offer litt'_e competition to the shrubs and thus the shruhe <br />increase their success (as noted shove crested vheatgrass viii compete in some <br />cases). In the higher elevations and higher precipitation areas the grasses <br />viii compete vith shrubs to a greater degree, thus reducing the success of the <br />shrubs. Containerized planting in these areas rill not necessarily prevent <br />the competition. Although the container plantings may survive, competition <br />viii greatly reduce production and grovth of the shruhe in many situations. <br />If your goal ie to have successful shruhe you may vent to reduce the number of <br />individual grass species of eliminate grass species in the immediate area that <br />shrubs are planted. <br />Grose offers a quick cover vhich greatly reduces the rate of erosion, so it <br />may be a tradeoff betreen soil protection, and diversity and shrub <br />production. Shrub production and diversity may not be as important a goal as <br />soil protection, especially vhere the acres of disturbed area may be smell. <br />///~/// n <br />