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occurred between 1995 and 1997 during a period of relatively high precipitation (Figure • 7b) and cool temperatures (Figure 10). These conditions may have stimulated the cool season herbaceous plants that dominate Wadge Pasture and reduced the number of living shrubs present. Since then, warmer, drier conditions along with a longer period of grazing may have allowed the apparent rebound of woody plant density. Species Diversity and Composition Species density reflects the total number of species present (richness) in 100 square meters one meter to either side of the 50m cover sample transects. Species density data are summarized in Table 14 and graphically presented in Figure 4. In 2000, total species density ranges between 12.6 and 25.1 species/ 100 mz. In 1999, this range was 25.8 to 27.5, in 1998 it was 27.7 to 33.2, and in 1997 it was 36.0 to 38.2 species/ 100 mZ. In 2000, species density in the 1985 and 1998 Reclaimed Areas did not reach this range. Year Native Species Density (No. of Species / 100 sq. Reclaimed Areas Mountain Brush Ref. Sa m.) gebrush Ref. 2000 6.3 -12.5 30.3 25.9 • 1999 .25.8 -27.5 36.2 32.8 1998 10.4 -15.2 29.6 25.1 1997 15.5 33.9 35.4 1996 13.5 -19.7 27.2 35.4 1995 10 -18.0 40.4 37.3 1994 15.7 -19.9 31.3 28.3 1993 11.6 -20.0 28.6 29 1992 12.1 -19.0 33.9 24.6 1991 9.9 -18.3 28.7 27.7 1990 9.5 -18.9 22.9 25.9 Relative cover by lifeform is summarized in Table 14 and graphically presented in Figure 5. Data on which this graph is based are presented in Tables 1, 4, 8, and 10. As can be seen in Figure 5, the young (1998) reclamation was still strongly dominated by annual and biennial fortis, as is typical of early stages. The older (1985) reclamation has progressed past that stage, and the plant community is virtually entirely comprised of perennial species. However, the initially small component of introduced species (approximately 20% by weight in seed mix) now accounts for 71 % of the vegetation cover. • l4