REP07979 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

A comparison of the 2002 species composition data with the revegetation success • standazd reveals that none of the reclamation azeas or the Osgood sand reference azea meet the final bond release species composition success standard. All azeas sampled lack the requisite number of warm season grasses and/or the required perennial forb. Species presence and representation on the reference and reclaimed azeas was less than encountered in 2001, attributable to decreased precipitation (Tables 1,12). The Osgood sand reference azea contained five fewer species this yeaz than in 2001, the 1995 and 1997 reclamation azeas contained five and six fewer species respectively, and the 1998 reseeded or interseeded azeas decreased in species numbers from twenty-three in 2001 to nineteen this yeaz. COMPARISON OF VEGETATION COMMUNITIES: 1994-2002 Direct comparison of the 2002 monitoring data for the azeas sampled with that of previous yeazs can only be undertaken for a short time period (four to five yeazs). Savage and Savage has monitored the Osgood sand reference area continuously since 1994. The 1985, 1986, and 1987 reclamation azeas were monitored from 1994 through phase Il bond release in ]998 (Savage and Savage, 1994-1998). The 1995 reclamation azeas were initially monitored in 1998. Monitoring of the 1995 reclamation azeas began in 1998, while initial quantitative monitoring of the 1997 reclamation areas and 1998 reseeded of interseeded azeas began in 1999. • Table 12 presents comparisons of relative cover for encountered plant species within the Osgood sand reference area and the 1995, 1997, and 1998 reclaimed azeas for the years 1994-2002. Within the table aze several interesting trends revealing changes in species composition at the reference and reclaimed azeas. These trends aze likely attn~butable to the ambient precipitation regime, vegetation community development, and management of the azeas and adjacent property. Osgood Sand Reference Area The Osgood sand reference azea has been quantitatively sampled for vegetation cover, herbaceous production and species composition the last nine yeazs. Total vegetation cover and total herbaceous production levels appeaz directly and tightly correlated to the yeazly precipitation regime (Savage, 2000). The species composition of vegetation communities is more reflective of the long term adaptability of the individual species comprising the community. Of the twenty-six species encountered within the Osgood sand reference azea since 1994, only five have been continuously represented from 1994 to 2002 (the Stipa species have been considered the same species). These species aze Andropogon hallii, Bouteloua gracilis, Calamovilfa longifolia, Stipa viridula, and Artemisia filifolia. These species should be considered to be the detern~inate core species for the reference azea. They can be categorized as a perennial deciduous woody shrub, three perennial warm season Coors Energy Company Page /8 2002 RevegeCation Monitoring Repori: