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e <br />ESPEY, HUSTON &ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />1 <br />U <br />7.0 SUMMARY <br />Vegetation studies on the proposed mine plan azea identified five plant <br />communities. They include a meadow, big sagebrush, mountain shrub, aspen, and <br />piaon-juniper types. The entire proposed mine plan azea was mapped. Quantitative <br />data on vegetation cover, shrub density and productivity was collected only on the <br />communities in the potential affected azeas. Reference areas were established for <br />each of the three affected azea communities and similar quantitative data col- <br />lected. <br />The affected azea communities are all chracteristic to broad regions of <br /> <br />western Colorado. The species composition, cover, shrub density, and productivity <br />of the sampled communities are similaz to this vegetation type as it occurs in other <br />regions of western Colorado. <br />The structural diversity and species present in these communities have <br />been influenced by the activities of man during the past settlement yeazs. Grazing <br />by livestock appears to have had the greatest effect. Livestock grazing and the <br />management of the area for livestock has resulted in a reduction in the cover and <br />frequency of sensitive species and created disturbances which provide habitat for <br />weeds. Agricultural and ranching activities have resulted in the introduction of both <br />weeds and cultivazs. Weeds and cultivazs, however, do not comprise a significant <br />proportion of the vegetation cover. <br />The vegetation of the azea is characterized by a diversity of deciduous <br />shrubs; by numerous perennials, cool season mid=grasses with a bunch grass <br />growth=form; and by perennial forbs. There aze no threatened and endangered <br />---v <br />species or selenium indicator species. Four noxious weeds aze present but each has <br />a low cover and frequency. Canada thistle (Cirsium azvense) and leafy spurge <br />(Euphorbia esula) aze both prohibited noxious weeds that potentially present <br />• problems for reclamation. <br />K-52 <br />