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(Savage and Savage, 1994-1998). The 1995 reclamation azeas were initially monitored in <br />1998. Monitoring of the 1995 reclamation azeas began in 1998, while initial quantitative <br />. monitoring of the 1997 reclamation azeas and 1998 reseeded or interseeded areas began in <br />1999. The 1999 reclamation areas were monitored for the third time this season. The 2000 <br />and 2002 reclamation areas were monitored for the first time this season. <br />Table 14, presents comparisons of relative cover for encountered plant species within the <br />Osgood sand reference azea and the 1998, 1999, and 2000 reclaimed azeas for the years 1994- <br />2005. Within the table are several interesting trends revealing changes in species <br />compositian at the reference and reclaimed areas. These trends aze likely attributable to the <br />ambient precipitation regime, vegetation community development, and management of the <br />azeas and adjacent property. <br />4.5.1 Osgood Sand Reference Area <br />The Osgood sand reference area has been quantitatively sampled for vegetation cover, <br />herbaceous production and species composition yeazly since 1994. Total vegetation cover <br />and total herbaceous production levels appear directly and tightly correlated to the <br />yearly precipitation regime (Savage, 2000). The species composition of vegetation <br />communities is more reflective of the long term adaptability of the individual species <br />comprising the community. <br />Of the twenty-eight species encountered within the Osgood sand reference area since 1994, <br />only four have been continuously represented from 1994 to 2005 (the Stipa species have been <br />considered the same species). These species are Bouteloua gracilis, Calamovilfa longifolia, <br />Stipa viridula, and Artemisia filifolia. These species should be considered to be the <br />determinate core species for the reference area. They can be categorized as a perennial <br />deciduous woody shrub, two perennial warm season grasses, and one cool season grass (Stipa <br />viridula). Forb presence and numbers within the reference area are directly related to <br />precipitation amounts and distribution. <br />During this growing season, the four core species comprised 64.5 percent of the total relative <br />cover of all species in the reference area. Of these species, the perennial graminoid cool <br />season species Stipa viridula decreased slightly in relative cover this season but has <br />established itself as a significant component of the reference azea Perennial warm season <br />grasses showed minor variation, Bouteloua gracilis and Calamovilfa longifolia decreased <br />slightly. in 2005 woody shrub relative cover decreased by 33 percent from 2004. This <br />observation appears to confirm the relationship between precipitation and species <br />representation. <br />Responses of the dominant species within the reference area have been varied. The cool <br />season graminoid Bromus tectorum increased significantly in 2005 due to increased <br />precipitation in the spring. Andropogon hallii has maintained a constant significant presence <br />within the reference area since 1994 (with the exception of 2004), and the cover of this <br />species appears to be directly correlated with above average precipitation levels during the <br />period May through July. Calamovilfa longifolia, though a warm season grass, has previously <br />shown greater relative cover during average and wet years in the reference area. However in <br />Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 25 <br />2005 Revegetation Monitoring Report <br />