Laserfiche WebLink
i <br />on the same index. <br /> <br />Production. Production summaries for the affected area and new <br />reference area are presented in Tables 3 and 4. In both areas, more <br />than 90 percent of the biomass was attributable to western <br />wheatgrass, smooth brome, and Kentucky bluegrass. Total production <br />in the affected area was 278.8 g/m2 and 363.9 g/m2 in the reference <br />area. On the basis of a t-test, the difference in production is <br />significant. In 1980 the reference area was also significantly more <br />productive than the affected area. <br />The results from the 1982 studies are consistent with those <br />obtained in 1980. Based on the differences in cover and production <br />between the affected and reference areas, the question regarding the <br />suitability of the reference area arises. Even though the <br />reference area has significantly greater cover and production it is <br />still a suitable site for a reference area. It is the only <br />comparable site located near the affected area and yet occurs <br />outside the area of mining activity. Since the cover and production <br />values are higher in the reference area, the regulatory agency <br />should be satisfied knowing that if the standard established by the <br />reference area is met, then the affected areas are more than <br />adequately reclaimed. <br />Shrub Density. No shrubs were encountered in sampling the dry <br />meadow vegetation type. <br />