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I~ I' I' iJ I SECTION B: TOPSOIL DEPTH & SHRUB ESTABLISHMENT STUDY Introduction The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of topsoil application on the re- establishment of native woody plants at Seneca II Mine. Topsoil application has been demonstrated to be vital to the establishment of grass and forb species which require the textural, chemical and biological properties of topsoil for seed germination. Woody species, however, have a greater adaptation to coarse, rocky and shallow soils. Establishment of serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifo[ia), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii) is potentially limited by both plant competition resulting from topsoil application and inappropriate soil texture. This study addresses the following hypothesis: "Application of topsoil adversely affects shrub establishment within shrub areas at Seneca II Mine." Questions investigated by this study are: 1. Does topsoil application affect shrub survival? 2. Does topsoil application affect vigor of planted shrubs? 3. Does topsoil application affect herbaceous plant density and percent cover? 4. Is there a direct relationship between topsoil application, herbaceous plant growth and shrub survival with shrub azeas? Me h s Study Design. The study site is located within the planting unit designated 95-4 at Seneca II Mine. The two treatments investigated in this study aze: 1) "Control" in which the topsoil depth averages 20.9 centimeters; and 2) "No-Topsoil" in which topsoil was not applied to the final graded spoils. Prior to study establishment, both sites were planted in a common fashion by a commercial tree planting crew. The experimental design consists of a series of belt transects randomly placed along baselines within the two treatment areas. Two baselines were subjectively placed along the lower slope boundary of each treatment plot. A total often permanent belt transects, 2 meters by 25 meters, were randomly placed along each baseline. Belt transects were not allowed to overlap. Data was collected during late August or early September annually for three yeazs. Variables measured on the site were presence/absence, herbaceous cover, damage, height, and mycorrhizal colonization. Woody species were examined for presence/absence, browse damage, and height on an annual basis. The initial data was collected under conditions of snow cover, thus, baseline data was recollected during spring 1996 after snow melt. Browse was determined by examining the main shoot of the plant for signs of damage. Height was determined in centimeters for the first five plants of a species located within each transect. 11