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production quadrats were distributed within the two areas based on size. The 2000 <br />reclamation azeas range from flat to gently sloping (<1 to 2°). Reseeding or interseeding with <br />the permanent seed mix took place in 2003 within these areas with the goal of increasing <br />perennial graminoid representation. Specific sampling information for the 2000 reclamation <br />areas is contained in Tables 8 and 9. <br />3.1.4.1 Vegetatiou Cover <br />Total vegetation cover of the 2000 reclamation azeas was 49.60 percent. Graminoids <br />provided 39.00 percent mean cover (80.47% relative cover) and foibs accounted for 10.60 <br />percent mean cover (19.53% relative cover). Total cover values were variable between the <br />individual areas within the 2000 reclamation areas. The lowest total vegetation cover of the <br />pazcels sampled was found in Area 19 (34%) and the highest cover was encountered in Area <br />6 (62%). Bromus tectorum and Calamovilfa longifolia were encountered in all transects. <br />Overall within the 2000 reclamation areas, Bromus tectorum was dominant, with <br />contributions of 22.60 percent mean and 38.72% relative cover. Six additional species <br />contributed significantly to cover, including Calamovilfa longifolia with 9.00 percent mean <br />(21.21 % relative), Kochia scoparia contributing 4.60 percent mean total and 8.42% relative <br />cover, Bouteloua gracilis with 2.20 percent mean cover (6.73% relative cover), Panicum <br />virgatum providing 1.60 percent mean (5.72% relative), Medicago lupulina (black medic) <br />providing 2.20 and 3.70 percent mean and relative cover, respectively, and Ambrosia <br />psilostachya with 1.20 percent mean and 3.03 percent relative cover. Medicago lupulina <br />(black medic), an annual introduced forb was found in 70 percent of the transects and Kochia <br />scoparia was present of 60 percent of the ttansects. <br />Vegetative litter (prior years growth, dead wood, and other biologic organic material) <br />comprised 34.20 percent ground cover overall within the 2000 reclamation areas. Bare soil <br />comprised 16.20 percent of the ground cover. No rock or cryptogams were encountered <br />during the cover sampling in the 2000 reclamation areas. <br />3.1.4.2 Herbaceous Production <br />Total herbaceous production within the 2000 reclamation areas was 86.72 g/m2 (773 lb/ac). <br />Perennial grasses were the lazgest contributor to herbaceous production in this azea with <br />60.97 g/m2 (544 Ib/ac) or 70.3 percent of total herbaceous production. Annual fortis <br />contributed 15.85 g/mz (141 lb/ac) to herbaceous production in this azea, comprising 18.3 <br />percent of total herbaceous production. Annual grasses provided 8.73 g/m2 (78 Ib/ac) or 10.2 <br />percent of total herbaceous production. Perennial fortis provided 1.16 g/mz (10 lb/ac), which <br />was 1.3 percent of the total mean herbaceous production. <br />3.1.4.3 Species Composition <br />Cover sampling identified two lifeforms and nineteen species within the 2000 reclamation <br />azeas. The lifefonns included nine species of perennial grass, two annual grass, three <br />perennial fortis, and five annual fortis. Of the species encountered on the 2000 reclamation <br />azeas, thirteen were native and six were introduced. Perennial species outnumbered annual <br />Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 15 <br />2005 Revegetation Monitoring Report <br />