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sampled also contain the relative cover by species, and a column depicting the numerical <br />ranking of each species by relative cover within the azea. <br />2.3 SAMPLE NUMBERS/SAMPLE ADEQUACY <br />For the purposes of this monitoring, set numbers of samples were established for the <br />pazameters to be sampled by Savage and Savage and Coors Energy Company. The number <br />of samples taken for each reclamation yeaz was consistent with numbers agreed to in the past <br />by CDMG. In each revegetated azea, the size and number of parcels dictated the total number <br />of samples taken, as described above. <br />Since the purpose of this sampling was the monitoring of the vegetative condition at the <br />revegetated azeas of the mine and Osgood sand reference area, sampling need not meet <br />sample adequacy requirements. Minimum sample sizes and standazd deviation are reported <br />as an indication of variability of the sampled pazameters. Comparisons between sample <br />mean parameter values assume that the sample mean value accurately represents the <br />population mean in all cases. <br />2.4 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION <br />Species identification was accomplished in the field through the use of plant identification <br />keys (Harrington, 1954, Weber, 1990; Whitson, 1987; Zimdahl, 1990, Stubbendieck, et al, <br />1995). In cases where plant identification was inconclusive in the field, voucher specimens <br />were pressed for lab identification. <br /> <br />3.0 RESULTS <br />3.1 QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION: REFERENCE & RECLAMATION AREAS <br />3.1.1 OSGOOD SAND REFERENCE AREA <br />The Osgood sand reference azea represents approximately 3.4 acres of undisturbed native <br />vegetation within the Keenesburg Mine permit azea. The reference azea is sited immediately <br />west of the mine access mad and has been fenced to prevent grazing by domesticated <br />livestock. The reference azea is flat and exhibits sheet flow drainage to the east-southeast. <br />Soils are generally sandy in texture, with little incorporated organic matter. <br />The vegetation community was visually dominated by the woody shrub Artemisia ftlifolia <br />(sand sage) and cool season graminoid Stipa viridula (green needlegrass). Three warm <br />season and four cool season grasses were present within the reference area. Four forb species <br />were encountered during cover sampling this growing season. The number of species <br />represented in cover sampling increased from eleven in 2004 to thirteen this year (Table 1.) <br />(Savage and Savage, 2004). Specific sampling information for the reference area is <br />contained in Tables 2 and 3. <br /> <br />v vv /.M ~'/ I!. <br />Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 10 <br />2005 Revegetation Monitoring Report <br />