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cover from the outset would have a low probability of success . <br /> Mulch can be provided from the sawmill operation. <br /> ' PINE FOREST: The vegetation in the forested areas is strongly <br /> dominated by Ponderosa Pine. There is essentially no shrub <br /> component in the vegetation. Canopy cover varies from about 25% on <br /> dry, hot sites to about 80% on wetter and cooler north facing <br /> slopes . Reproduction rates appear to be low as there is a general <br /> lack of seedlings on the site . Most forested areas appear to be at <br /> ' or near the maximum density for this environment. <br /> Understory vegetation ranges from none to sparse in most of <br /> the forested areas , but near the forest edge or where the canopy <br /> ' cover is near minimum, ground cover increases . This indicates a <br /> light factor limitation on ground cover with a secondary moisture <br /> limitation probably due to competition from the trees in the <br /> gravelly soils . <br /> Soils under the forest are very poor to essentially non- <br /> existent on steep, south facing slopes . Soil is slightly better on <br /> north facing slopes . As is common with Ponderosa Pine , the trees <br /> ' appear to be growing in a well-drained, intensely gravelly medium <br /> that is only slightly different from the parent material and only <br /> an inch or two thick. Organic matter staining of the gravelly soil <br /> ' near the surface is mainly due to the decomposition of pine <br /> needles . This organic matter actually has little to do with the <br /> growth of the trees . The trees are rooted well below the darker <br /> surface horizon, where such a horizon exists . The darker surface <br /> horizon containing limited amounts of organic matter helps support <br /> somewhat more understory growth and probably provides some <br /> nutrition to the trees through percolation. But even where there <br /> ' is relatively well developed soil to a depth of two or three <br /> inches , understory growth is sparse as a result of shade factors . <br /> On the land that will be mined and is forested, the trees <br /> should be harvested and utilized in the lumber operation or sold <br /> I for firewood. Branches , needles , bark and other waste materials <br /> from the processing of the trees should be saved and utilized as a <br /> top dressing mulch in the revegetation process . <br /> ' GRASS DOMINATED VEGETATION: Although grass does occur under <br /> much of the forest , it is usually very sparse . Some of the grasses <br /> occurring under the trees appear to be the same or very similar <br /> species to what is found on the open, grass dominated land. This <br /> is especially true of a bunchy grass that appears to be a <br /> Muhlenbergia. The overlap between the grass dominated vegetation <br /> ' and the forest is probably due to a combination of ecotonal <br /> blending and the presence of species that have broad tolerance <br /> curves that allow them to survive on both open ground and in the <br /> shade . <br /> Most of the grass dominated vegetation is composed of a fairly <br /> uniform blend of what appears to be two or thr,2e species of <br /> Muhlenbergia, probably Western Wheatgrass or some other A23-opyron, <br /> and Blue Grama (Bouteloua gracilis) . Mixed with these grasses are <br /> various forbs that are mostly members of the Asteraceae (Sunflower <br /> 3 <br />