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<br />9.2 HIGH ALTITUDE REYEGETATION RESEARCH (Species Adaption, Fertilizer <br />Requirements) <br />9.2.1 Species Adaption Research <br />As a temporary solution to the unavailability of native species, a mixture <br />of commercially available, adaptable species has been developed by AMAX Inc. <br />with the aid of Dr. William Berg, Colorado State University (C~;U) Agronomy <br />Department. <br />Approximately 30 herbaceous species were first planted at the Climax Mine <br />(elevation 3,390 km or 11,300 ft) in 1969. Other trials have continued <br />throughout the years with more species and varieties, tested on different <br />aspects and soils. The mixture is reevaluated on an annual basis and <br />changed as necessary. <br />All of the species in the mixture normally survive and regener;ite at high <br />altitudes (greater than 3,048 m or 10,000 ft) and are commercially <br />available. It is not known if all produce viable seed a•: the high <br />elevations. Crested wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) ~~nd yellow <br />sweetclover (Melilotus officinalis) were added to the mixture in low <br />quantities for the Henderson West facilities (2,743 m or 9,000 ft). The <br />large number of species includes adaptations for both wet and dry habitat. <br />Smooth brome is the dominant of the mixture because it is one of the most <br />vigorous species. It is not listed as a native, although a native <br />subspecies can be found throughout Colorado, even in extremely remote areas. <br />The European subspecies used in the seed mix is extremely aggressive and has <br />been established in small amounts in native vegetation throughout the state. <br />Smooth brome was observed at the end of Jones road near the +:unnel vent <br />shaft before the site was revegetated. Establishment in this ~•emote area <br />must have occurred naturally because no previous revegetation is known to <br />have occurred. <br />22 <br />