REP36304 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION Species identification was accomplished in the field through the use of plant identification keys (Weber, 1990; Whitson, 1987; Zimdahl, 1990, Stubbendieck, et al, 1995). In cases where plant identification was inconclusive in the field, voucher specimens were pressed for lab identification. III. RESULTS In 1999, precipitation conditions at the mine site were above average based on records from the mine site. A great amount of precipitation (11.67 inches) was received between January 1 and July 31, 1999, particulazly in the months of April and May. This represents the second wettest January-July precipitation period since 1993, and a 35.2 percent positive deviation from normal. Four lifeforms were encountered during the sampling of the reclaimed and reference areas. They included graminoids, fortis, succulents, and woody shrubs. The only reclamation area sampled in both 1998 and 1999 (1995 Reclamation Areas) showed an increase in species numbers from 19 in 1998 to 22 in 1999. The total number of species encountered on the Osgood sand reference area increased slightly from 1998 (11 species 1999, 10 species 1998). The plant species encountered and their locations are presented in Table 1. • QUANTITATIVE EVALUATION: REFERENCE AND RECLAMATION AREAS OSGOOD SAND REFERENCE AREA The Osgood sand reference area represents approximately 3.4 acres of undisturbed native vegetation within the Keenesburg Mine permit area. The reference area is sited immediately west of the mine access road and has been fenced to prevent grazing by domesticated livestock. The reference azea is flat and exhibits sheet flow drainage to the east-southeast. Soils are generally sandy in texture, with very little incorporated organic matter. The vegetation community was visually dominated by the woody shrub Artemisia frlifolia (sand sage), the cool season graminoid Stipa viridula (green needlegrass) and the warm season grass, Andropogon hallii (sand bluestem). Two additional warm season grasses were also common within the reference area, Calamovilfa longifolia (pra'vie sandreed), and Bouteloua grocili.s (blue grams). Helianlhus annuus (sunflower), a native annual, was the most prevalent forb this growing season. The number of species represented in cover sampling increased from ten in 1998 to eleven this year (Savage and Savage, 1998). Specific sampling information for the reference area is contained in Tables 2 and 6. -5-