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• 36 • <br />scheme may show that old-field sites with increased bare ground rank higher <br />in terms of forage production than do less disturbed sites with a greater <br />proportion of sod-forming perennial grasses. This should not confuse <br />those interested in reclamation since reestablishment of a functional <br />soil column requires that energy and nutrient storage be accomodated in <br />the A-horizon and to do so one must sacrifice short-term productivity of <br />green biomass for long-term stability of soil-plant system. <br />Analysis of vegetation along rights-of-way in the Black Thunder project <br />area provides a different measure of potential for reclamation success <br />since soils are more thoroughly disturbed along pipelines and roads and <br />reseeding and microclimate alterations are often attempted. Pipelines <br />constructed in 1970 resulted in mixing bedrock, subsoil, and soil materials, <br />followed by blading and seeding. Cover within the seeded and contoured <br />areas directly over the pipelines comprised 11-12 percent vegetation. <br />Adjacent to the pipelines, areas of right-of-way that were not excavated <br />but were bladed and reseeded, now bear a cover 2 to 3 times as great as <br />that directly over the pipelines. The researchers concluded that <br />"Areas along the pipeline also indicate that faster plant estab- <br />lishment is obtained from certain soils and areas of deeper soils. <br />It appears that the more biologically active a soil, the faster <br />and easier will be the reestablishment of vegetation" (Ibid., p. <br />IX-52). <br />No fertilization or irrigation was used on these rights-of-way. Vegetative <br />cover along the margins of improved roadways constructed in 1969 and <br />