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<br /> <br /> in 1988 and increased to an average of 20.6 species in 1990. <br /> Finally, in 1989, all reclaimed area data showed a drop in <br /> cover and production compared to 1987 and 1988 data because of <br /> drought effects. However, the Wadge pasture had significantly <br /> higher production and cover than any other reclaimed unit in <br /> 1989 and did not appear to be nearly as impacted by drought <br />' than other reclaimed areas. Furthermore, 1990 production in <br /> the grazed pasture was nearly 100 pounds per acre higher than <br />' an ungrazed comparison area reclaimed in similar years and by <br /> similar methods. This may indicate that the plants in the <br />' pasture are responding to improved nutrient cycling and better <br /> carbon:nitrogen ratios as a result of grazing. <br />t d <br />i <br />f <br />l <br />i <br />d l <br />ti <br />l <br />l <br />l <br />d <br />I <br /> rec <br />me <br />an <br />s, par <br />cu <br />n summary, graz <br />ng o <br />a <br />ar <br />y <br />an <br />s <br /> reclaimed using earlier methods, may be an effective means of <br />' causing desirable changes in reclaimed plant community <br /> composition and structure with minimal cost and effort. The <br /> managed use of grazing can aid in achieving the required <br /> revegetation community characteristics without additional <br /> physical disturbance or retreatment. Costs have been <br /> restricted to the initial investment for fencing, annual fence <br /> maintenance, and the supplying of water during the grazing <br />' season. At this time, the data indicates that grazing has <br /> aided in reducing alfalfa composition, increasing shrub <br />' density, and improving species diversity without impacting the <br /> vegetative cover or productivity of the stand. Furthermore, <br />' grazing has demonstrated the utility of the reclaimed lands and <br /> the achievement of the postmine land use of livestock grazing. <br />' Grazing has proven to be an innovative and effective approach <br /> for correcting or improving vegetation characteristics of <br />' reclaimed communities. <br />1 <br />1 <br /> PEABODY COAL COMPANI/ <br /> Western Dlvlslon <br />