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• SECTION A: SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT MONITORING Introduction Annual shrub density monitoring was conducted in woody plant establishment plots at the Seneca II and Seneca II-W Mines during September 2-4, 1997 and September 24-25, 1997. Monitoring was conducted on seventeen shrub planting units ranging from one to three years in age. Plots were monitored for shrub density, grass/forb canopy cover and general species composition. The purpose of monitoring these sites is to evaluate the relative success of various reclamation methods and to identify planting units which may require augmented planting in order to qualify for bond release. Methods for Shrub Establishment Monitoring Shrub Density. Approximately 1.8-15% of each woody plant establishment unit was sampled through the use of systematically placed permanent belt transects as illustrated in Figure 1 (Table 1). In newly planted azeas, a baseline was subjectively placed pazallel to the unit contour and permanently mazked by steel posts at the endpoints. When possible, existing boundazy mazkers were used as endpoints for the baseline. Permanent belt transects (2 meters x 25 meters) were systematically placed perpendiculaz to the baseline within each'plot with endpoints mazked by wooden stakes. In certain instances, more than one baseline was used in order to attain a sufficient sample size or to insure adequate coverage of vazied topography. All shrubs present • within each transect were identified and counted. Analysis consisted of calculating the average stem density from existing and original numbers of individuals within each transect. All planting units were sampled in a similaz manner with the exceptions of 95-4 and 95-1. Planting Unit 95-4 is part of the Topsoil Depth /Shrub Establishment Study and was sampled randomly as opposed to systematically in order to meet statistical criteria. Planting Unit 95-1 is part of the recently completed Herbivory Study and was sampled within randomized blocks instead of belt transects. Percent Coverage by Life-form. Plant canopy cover was measured by systematically placing 0.5 meter X 0.5 meter quadrats to the right of the 5, 15, and 25 meter mazks of each transect. Within each quadrat, a cover class was assigned to each life-form utilizing a modified Daubenmire cover scale (FSH 12/87 R-1 Supp I). Results are reported as percent coverage by life-form. Species Composition. Species composition was determined within each shrub planting azea through the use of an oculaz survey. The site was traversed and all species encountered recorded. Potential noxious weed problems were noted. r1 ~J