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• EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />A leading objective of the Seneca II Mine reclamation program is the re-establishment of woody <br />plants found in the mountain shrub community type which is a common component of the native <br />landscape. Since 1995, Seneca Mine has established long-term monitoring plots in order to <br />assess success of shrub plantings and initiated several studies which evaluate the factors thought <br />to limit the survival of planted shrubs. The following report documents work completed during <br />1997. Report sections aze summarized below: <br />Annual Monitoring. The purpose of annual monitoring is to determine shrub densities on a per <br />planting unit basis and to provide recommendations for the improvement of shrub establishment. <br />A total of seventeen monitoring plots were evaluated during September 1997. Overall survival <br />by planting unit ranged from 43% to 86%. Low survival numbers aze likely due to continuous <br />and intensive browse by elk, deer, and marmots. Browse damage is further expressed by a lack <br />of growth in plants. However, root systems were examined and demonstrated substantial growth. <br />Intensive browse control efforts such as the application of tree protectors, deer proof fencing, and <br />hunting aze necessary to increase plant survival and growth on all sites. <br />Topsoil Depth and Shrub Establishment Study. The Topsoil Depth and Shrub Establishment <br />Study is being conducted to determine the effect of topsoil application on the establishment of <br />Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Gambel's Oak <br />(Quercus gambelii). This report documents the second of three yeazs of data collection for the <br />• study. Overall, topsoil application appears to negatively impact the establishment of shrubs. <br />Survival on the no-topsoil treatment is substantially higher than the topsoil treatment. When <br />vigor was assessed, plants on the topsoil treatment have tended to decline in height while those <br />on the no-topsoil treatment have increased slightly. The differences in survival and height are <br />most likely accounted for by invasion of thistle and increased plant competition on the finer <br />textured topsoil medium. In addition, shrub species may be better able to utilize habitat with <br />rocky substrates by allowing for deeper root penetration and better use of lower moisture levels. <br />Rooting depth will be assessed during the final year of the study. <br />Mycorrhizae Benefits Study. Seneca II Mine currently inoculates plant materials with <br />myconhizal fungi in order to improve the survival rate of planted shrubs. Actual benefits and the <br />efficacy of current methodologies for inoculation, however, have not been measured. In order to <br />determine the benefits of the current myconhizal inoculation program, the Mycorrhizae Benefits <br />Study was established. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the survival and growth benefits <br />of mycon•hizal versus non-mycorrhizal plant materials under field conditions and to determine <br />the effectiveness of two sepazate inoculation techniques. The study was established during <br />September 1997 and utilizes Servicebeny (Amelanchier alnifolia), Wood's Rose (Rosa woodsii), <br />and Gambel's Oak (Quercus gambelii). Compared aze plants inoculated with commercial and <br />site-adapted inoculum applied under nursery conditions and a field applied commercial inoculum <br />plus non-inoculated controls. Data collection and final report submittal will occur during fall <br />1998. <br /> <br />