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• annual/biennial speaes and introduced speaes, is that the total speaes density is arguably a strong <br />indication of the existence of niche spaces that could eventually be occupied by the native forb and <br />woody plant species typical of the pre-mining plant communities. <br />The final step Eor this assessment will be comparison of the mean total species density of the BRB to <br />the .reference area-derived standazd number (above). If the reclaimed area mean exceeds the <br />standard, the Test A is passed. If the BRB mean is less than the standazd, a hypothesis test will be <br />undertaken. This would be accomplished using the expression set forth above for none-sample t- <br />test comparing the reclaimed azea species density mean. <br />• Alternative Test C): Assessment of the Distribution of Species Density Among Irfeforms <br />in Comparison to the Reference Areas <br />This test relates to the distribution of the presence of speaes among the various lifeforms in <br />comparison to the reference areas. This standard will use the Motyka similarity index to assess the <br />resemblance of the distribution of species density by lifeform of the reclamation vegetation to that of <br />the reference areas. Because the average internal resemblance (i.e. between-sample similarity) of <br />applicable reference azeas Eor speaes density data is often in the range of 70%, the proposed <br />standazd is 63% (0.9 x 70%). (For this determination, data from the extended reference azeas <br />(Sagebrush, Mountain Brush, and Aspen) from the neazby Seneca II-W Mine were examined. The <br />Seneca II-W extended reference azeas extend across sections of landscape more comparable in <br />dimension to the BRB areas than aze dre comparatively small Seneca II reference azeas. Thus, they <br />are thought to be more indicative ofpre-mining inter-stand maununity diversity). <br />• The Motyka similarity index will be used as follows: <br />Where <br />= total of spedes density values for lifefotms of the reclaimed azeas <br />= total of speaes density values for the lifeforms of the reference area* <br />= the sum of the smaller of the speaes density values for lifeforms of the reclaimed and <br />reference azeas* <br />* 'IY~eighted average lifeform .rpecier denrity uring the Seneca II Reference Aear (weighted bared cn 83°.! eriginal <br />extenlof Mountain Bncrb / A.ipen and 17% original extent of Sagebrurh). <br />Only cover by vasndar plants will be included. Lifeforms to be used will include: <br />Annual/biennial forbs <br />Annual grasses <br />Perennial forbs/Subshrubs <br />Perennial cool season grasses <br />• Alternative Test D): Assessment of the Presence of Native Species <br />The thud alternative assessment of the spedes diversity of reclaimed lands makes direct reference to <br />the presence of native western North American plant spedes in reclaimed azeas. <br />• Total cumulative # of native ,ipecier* _> avg. reference aria native .pecier denrity (# , pecier / 100 rg.m.) <br />*in the adequate sample of the reclaimed area and including alfalfa and / or acet rnilkvetch which have often been <br />included in seed mixes as nitrogen -fuers iu light of the lack of suitable and available native nitrogen-fixers. <br />ESCOArrociater 13-13-9 TR110 * 03/06 <br />