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<br />vegetation cover where an N response is expected. Observations nn 25 August <br />1977 revealed an excellent growth response to supplemental N on the <br />disturbed soil, however; there were no obvious differences due to the <br />various nitrogen sources. On the natural meadow there was only a slight <br />growth response to the N fertilization. <br />9.2.9 Native Species Establishment on Disturbed Soil 1978 <br />In 1978, an area on the northeast flank of Little Bartlett Mountain near the <br />Climax Mine at an elevation of about 3,598 m (11,800 ft) was developed as a <br />test of the comparative success of establishment of 26 native plant species <br />and it introduced and native species comprising the Climax seed mix at that <br />time. The study was conducted by Dr. Berg and his graduate student, Mike <br />Guillaume. The native species seed was collected by hang from the <br />surrounding areas. Test plots measuring approximately 1.2 m (4 ft) by 2.4 m <br />(8 ft) were established for each species and replicated three times. <br />Plots were evaluated in 1979 and 1980. In both years plant density <br />(individuals per sq m) in the plots was investigated. These data show that <br />while introduced species produced the highest seedling densities the first <br />year almost without exception, by the second year their numbers had thinned <br />substantially and were almost equaled by the more successful natives, which <br />had not experienced the decrease in density associated with the introduced <br />species. Some native species probably had higher density in 1930, because <br />of delayed germination resulting from seed dormancy factors. <br />As of 1980, the most successful native grass species were alpine slender <br />wheatgrass (Agropyron latiglume), alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina), timberline <br />bluegrass (Poa glauca), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia caespitosa), spike <br />trisetum (Trisetum spicatum), and Thurber fescue (Festuca thurberi). The <br />most successful fortis were alpine sorrel (Oxyria digyna), <br />Old-man-of-the-mountain (Nymenoxys grandiflora), rock jasmine (Androsace <br />septentrionalis), rose pussytoes (Antennaria roses), and ~:inquefoil <br />(Potentilla diversifolia and P. gracilis). <br />42 <br />