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increased species numbers in 1996 compared with 1995 (Table 6). This is significant, given the wet spring of 1995 which encouraged germination and growth of numerous ephemerals. The 1985 Reclamation Area closely followed the trend illustrated by the Osgood Sand Reference Area, where species numbers were less than those recorded in 1995, but significantly greater than those found in 1994. The 1985 Reclamation Area met the requirements of the species composition success criterion, having seven perennial species with the required relative cover. Four warm season grass species were present in sufficient relative cover. One perennial forb species was present. All species included had the requisite relative importance. The 1986 Reclamation Area met the species composition success criterion for number of warm season grasses. This area lacked a sufficient number of qualifying perennial species, though two native forbs meeting the relative importance criterion were disqualified because they were annual. The 1987 Reclamation Area did not meet the species composition success criterion for number of warm season grasses, falling one short. This area did not have the requisite number of qualifying perennial forbs. As with the 1986 area, the 1987 Reclamation Area lacked the required number of perennial species, though one native forb meeting the relative importance criterion was disqualified because it was annual. As in 1994 and 1995, the Osgood Sand Reference Area would not meet the species composition success criteria. Based on the current success criteria for species composition, the Osgood Sand Reference Area lacks a sufficient number of perennial species and warm season grasses. With a range of growing season characteristics represented in the 1994-1996 time period, it is evident that the current species composition success standard is unrealistic. The standards should be revaluated based on the 1994-1996 sampling data which represent a full range of moisture and growth conditions in this area. It is further recommended that the regulatory agency rethink the exclusion of annual species (particularly forbs) in the analysis of species composition success. As demonstrated in the monitoring for this site, annual species have an important role in the composition of the native and reclaimed vegetation communities. These lifeforms and species may be ephemeral from year to year and opportunistic in their growth mode, but they serve to provide diversity within both the native and revegetated communities, and their role should not be arbitrarily denigrated based on seasonality. i -14-