REP21701

• Permit No: C1980005
• IBM Index Class Name: Report
• Doc Date: 1/19/1999
• Doc Name: 1998 Reclamation & Shrub Establishment Studies at Seneca II & Seneca IIW Mines
• Permit Index Doc Type: Reveg Monitoring Report
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

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Stem density and survival. Overall, stem density typically ranged from 4079 to 607 stems per
acre across all sites with a standazd deviation of approximately f26% (Table A-2). High
standazd deviation is typical of shrub density estimates due to the clumped nature of plantings.
Site 97-1D contained the most dense stands of shrubs with an estimated 4079 stems per acre.
Substantial recruitment of seeded shrubs or from the seed bank appears to be the source of these
shrubs. Sites with the lowest stem densities are 96-1, 95-4b, and 97-1b and range from 607 to
842 stems per acre. These sites were planted indifferent years and on different aspects.
Common site factors which may effect density are not present. Both 95-4b and 97-1b have
generally good survival and appear have been planted at a lower density. Site 96-1 survival is
poor with survival ranging from 13 to 26%. During 1997 monitoring, this site was noted as
having 65% of plants browsed. Low survival is most likely the result of this intensive browse
damage.
Percent survival varied widely by species. Gambel's oak survival was excellent and ranged from
70 to 90%. Chokecherry and serviceberry survival ranged generally from 32 to 90%. Bitterbrush
(Purshia tridentata), Wood's rose (Rosa woodsii) and Snowberry (Symphoricarpus oreophilus
did quite poorly. Bitterbrush survival was 25% although this species only occurred in one plot
and the sample size was relatively small. Wood's rose and snowberry survived poorly in all
planting units with few exceptions. In plots 96-1 W, survival of Wood's rose (IS%) and
snowberry (30%) dropped from 61 % and 50% respectively observed during previous
monitoring. In a similar pattern on site 96-1, survival of Wood's rose (13%) and snowbeny
(18%) dropped from 26% and 45% observed during previous monitoring. Both of these sites had
exceptionally high rates of herbivory during 1997. Estimated herbivory on 96-1 and 96-1 W were
65% and 66% respectively during 1997. Browse damage appeazs to substantially impact survival
of these species at the seedling stage.
In several instances, percent survival exceeded 100%. Survival percentages are complicated by a
number of factors in plots 97-1 c, 97-1d, 97-2, and 97-1 W. Possible complicating factors aze : 1)
seedbank recruitment; 2) seeding of shrubs onto planted sites; 3) resprouts of planted shrubs; and
4) miscounts by field technicians. On planting units 97-Id and 97-1 W, a substantial number of
serviceberry, bitterbrush, and snowberry seedlings were noted as establishing from seed. The
source of this seed is unknown. Seed could be contained in the seed bank or be result of seeding
efforts. Regazdless, germination and establishment of seedlings could greatly bolster the number
of stems on these sites. Sites 97-2 and 97-1c also contained Wood's rose and snowberry
seedlings which could not be accounted for by live planting. The snowberry appeazed to have
originated from seed while origin of Wood's rose given its fast growth rate could not be
determined. Resprouting of browsed or damaged shrubs previously counted as dead is a distinct
possibility for all plots, although this would not be expected to increase survival estimates
substantially. Miscounts by field technicians is also a possibility with minor implications for
altering survival estimates. Seeding of shrubs and seedbank recruitment aze likely
underestimated as potential sources of stems.