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1 <br />' EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />A leading objective of the Seneca II Mine reclamation program is the re-establishment of woody <br />' plants found in the mountain shrub community type. Since 1995, Seneca Mine has established <br />long-term monitoring plots in order to assess success of shrub plantings and initiated several <br />studies which evaluate the factors thought to limit the survival of planted shrubs. The following <br />' report documents work completed during 1998. Report sections aze summazized below: <br />Annual Monitoring. The purpose of annual monitoring is to determine shrub densities on a per <br />planting unit basis and to provide recommendations for the improvement of shrub establishment. <br />A total of nineteen monitoring plots were evaluated during August 1998. Overall survival by <br />' planting unit ranged from 21% to 91%. As indicated in previous reports, low surviva[ numbers <br />are likely due to continuous and intensive browse by elk, deer, and marmots. Browse has <br />increased mortality by 50% on some planting units and eliminated new growth. However, root <br />' systems were examined and demonstrated substantial growth. Intensive browse control efforts <br />such as the application of tree protectors, deer proof fencing, and hunting aze necessary to <br />increase plant survival and growth on all sites. <br />' Topsoil Depth and Shrub Establishment Study. The Topsoil Depth and Shrub Establishment <br />Study is being conducted to determine the effect of topsoil application on the establishment of <br />servicebeny (Amelanchier alnifolia), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and Gambel's oak <br />(Quercus gambelii). Overall, topsoil application appeazs to negatively impact the establishment <br />of shrubs. Survival on the no-topsoil treatment is substantially higher than the topsoil treatment. <br />' Vigor as assessed by shoot and root growth was similaz between treatments. Plant competition <br />was also similar between treatments and not considered a major factor in survival. Rooting depth <br />and mycorrhizal colonization were similaz between species. The major cause of mortality on <br />' both sites is considered to be browse damage by deer and elk. Although the major cause of <br />mortality cannot be directly linked to topsoil application, graded spoils produced an acceptable <br />_ levels of shrub establishment similar to other topsoiled sites at the mine. <br />Mycorrhizae Benefits Study. The Mycorrhizae Benefits Study was conducted in order to <br />determine the benefits of the current mycorrhizal inoculation program. The purpose of the study <br />was to evaluate the survival and growth benefits of myconhizal versus non-mycorrhizal plant <br />materials under field conditions and to detennine the effectiveness of two sepazate inoculation <br />techniques. The study was established during September 1997 and utilized serviceberry, Wood's <br />rose, and Gambel's oak. Compazed aze plants inoculated with commercial and site-adapted <br />inoculum applied under nursery conditions and a field applied commercia[ inoculum plus non- <br />inoculated controls. Nursery inoculated plants survived at a significantly higher rate than field <br />inoculated and control plants. Vigor, however, did not differ between treatments. Overall, <br />nursery inoculation resulted in a twenty percent increase in survival over field inoculation. <br />