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• Species density reflects the total number of species present (richness) in 100 square meters one <br />meter to either side of the SOm cover sample transacts. Species density data are summarized in <br />Table 25 and graphically presented in Figure 4. As can be seen there, a balanced presence of <br />species exists in the reclaimed areas that is not reflected in the relative cover data. The 1995 <br />and 1998 reclamation areas equaled or exceeded the total species density of the three reference <br />areas. But for the aggressive presence of the introduced perennial grasses and (orbs, it is likely <br />that the species density in the PECOCO and Wadge pastures would equal that of the reference <br />areas. Of course, without those aggressive and productive species, production would certainly <br />be less. However, that parameter so greatly exceeds the standard set by the reference areas <br />.that it would hardly matter from a bond release point of view. <br />Species density data observed since 1990 at the Seneca II Mine are compiled in the table below. <br /> Year Native Species Density (No. of Species1100 sq.m.) <br /> Reclaimed Areas Mountain Brush Ref. Sagebrush Ref. Alkali Sgbr Ref. <br /> 2002 13.5-36.8 30.9 24.2 24.2 <br /> 2001 15.9 - 29.2 22.7 23.2 22.7 <br /> 2000 6.3 - 12.5 30.3 25.9 - <br />• 1999 <br />1998 25.8 - 27.5 <br />10.4 - 15.2 36.2 <br />29.6 32.8 = <br />25.1 <br /> 1997 15.5 33.9 36.4 <br /> 1996 13.5 - 19.7 27.2 35.4 - <br /> 1995 10 - 18.0 40.4 37.3 - <br /> 1994 15.7 - 19.9 31.3 28.3 -- <br /> 1993 11.6 - 20.0 28.6 29 - <br /> 1992 12.1 - 19.0 28.7 24.6 -- <br /> 1991 9.9 - 18.3 22.9 27.7 ~ - <br /> 1990 9.5 - 18.9 22.9 25.9 - <br />Species density of the reclaimed areas has always been observed at Levels below the reference <br />areas until 2002. The two native-seeded reclaimed areas (1995 and 1998) have, as of 2002, a <br />very substantial presence of native perennial (orbs (11.6 and 5.1 per 100 sq.m.). The older <br />reclamation (Wadge and PECOCO Pastures) continues to have about 2.5 native perennial forb <br />species per 100 sq.m. It has, in previous years, been speculated that as seed mixes and seed <br />quality developed to the point of eliminating the aggressive introduced species (especially <br />intermediate wheatgrass and smooth brome), the opportunity for slow enlargement of the <br />numbers of native perennial (orbs would manifest itself in the younger reclamation. It would <br />appear that the drought conditions of 2001 - 2002 have facilitated such an enlargement. <br /> <br />19 <br />