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73 <br />which provided a reproductive base not similarly available to the forbs <br />• and shrubs. Forb density, biomass, and cover was high on Treatments 1 <br />and 2 while shrubs failed to invade on any of the treatments. Negligible <br />plant density, biomass, and cover was observed on Treatments 3 and 4 (the <br />most severe treatments). <br />The second year following plot disturbance total plant density, <br />biomass, and cover remained highest on Treatment 1. Grasses and forbs <br />increased in density on all treatments with forbs making the greatest <br />increase. Grasses, however, maintained the highest mean density on <br />Treatment 1. Shrubs remained negligible on all treatments. <br />Overall, total plant density decreased with an increase in <br />disturbance while total biomass and cover decreased in order of <br />treatments--l, 3, 2, and 4. Forbs were responsible for the increase in <br />• biomass and cover on Treatment 3. <br />Retorted Shale Successional Study <br />During the summer and fall of 1977, a successional study on retorted <br />shale was established at the Intensive Study Site. This study was <br />implemented to address some of the problems the oil shale industry will <br />face in the formation of a control technology for the surface disposal <br />and revegetation of retorted oil shale. The experimental design of this <br />study is based on the most recent surface disposal plans proposed by <br />industry. Specifically, the study was set up to evaluate the effect of <br />retorted shale properties and the method of disposal on the rate and <br />direction of plant community succession. Various disposal schemes, <br />species mixtures, and fertiizer treatments will be tested for their <br /> <br />• <br />