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v <br />statistically and legally questionable. As K now exists, the diversity index obtained is simply a number that is <br />largely meaningless since it cannot be compared to any known standard for management purposes. <br />It is Important at this point to state what we feel is common ground on the issue of diversity between Trapper <br />Mine and the regulatory agencies. <br />1. Diversity is ill defined mathematically and controversial. <br />2. The Importance of species or I'tfeforms should be considered in terms of the end land use. <br />3. A meaningful, acceptable, reproducible standard should be used. <br />4. The standard must be based upon easily obtainable data such as cover, production or density. <br />In light of the described problems, a technique based on more tradftional range analysts methods will be used <br />to determine H a diverse plant community Is reestablished. <br />Satisfactory postmine herbaceous species diversity will be based upon comparisons to premine herbaceous <br />species diversfty. Herbaceous species diversity will be calculated from percent relative cover of desirable <br />herbaceous perennial plant species on postmine and premine range sites. <br />Based on 1960 premine data for Range Ske A, a minimum of five desirable perennial herbaceous plant species <br />must each provide between 5% to 50% relative cover on postmine Range SRe A. Taken together, five desirable <br />perennial plant species were shown on the 1980 premine Range Site A to provide at least 70% of the total <br />relative cover. <br />Based on 1980 premine data for Range Sites B and C, a minimum of four desirable perennial herbaceous plant <br />species must each provide between 5% to 50°~6 relative cover on the postmine Range Sites B and C. Taken <br />together, four desirable perennial plant species were shown on the 1980 premine Range Sites B and C to <br />provide at least 70% of the total relative cover. <br />On the postmine areas, if the relative cover of a counted perennial species exceeds 50%, then 50°h will be the <br />value used in the calculation. <br />4-128 <br />ATTACHMENTI <br />