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VI. SUlvIl1-IARY AND CONCLUSIONS <br />The historic record study area was created in 1996 to provide a location for sampling a <br />vegetation community representative of that which could be expected to be re- <br />established during reclamation at the West Elk Mine. Vegetation sampling was <br />initiated in the historic record vegetation community in 1996 and continued in 1997. <br />Quantitative vegetation sampling of four vegetation parameters was undertaken at the <br />historic record vegetation community in 1997. Based on the prevailing precipitation <br />regime for the 1997 growing season, it was established that the 1997 historic record <br />vegetation community parameter values are representative of a "normal" precipitation <br />year at the vegetation community. Total vegetation cover, total herbaceous production, <br />and species numbers showed significant increases over parameter values from the dry <br />1996 season. Woody plant density numbers showed a slight increase. <br />Increases in vegetation parameter values are attributed to corresponding increases in <br />"pre-growing season" precipitation. Mathematical relationships between "pre-growing <br />season" precipitation and herbaceous vegetation communities at the West Elk Mine <br />were explored and found to partially explain observed results at the vegetation <br />communities. With additional data to be collected in a "wet" precipitation year, these <br />mathematical relationships may provide a reliable predictive tool in establishing <br />revegetation success criteria based on the historic record. <br />-13- <br />