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• Relative cover by lifeform is summarized in Table 11 and graphically presented in Figure 5. <br />Data on which this graph is based are presented in Tables 1, 4, and 6. Introduced perennial <br />(orbs and grasses comprise a large proportion (70.7 percent) of vegetation cover of the 1990 <br />reclamation. <br />The aggressiveness of non-native species has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to <br />overwhelm native species in Seneca II reclaimed areas (see ESCO 1993, 1994a, 1994b, 1996). <br />The utility of ~ non-native species in the long-term goals of the reclamation needs to be <br />carefully examined in light of the probability that even small amounts of non-natives in original <br />seed mixes will lead to non-native dominance as they continue year after year to overwhelm <br />natives. <br />Cicer milkvetch has increased its relative cover since 1994 from 4.9 to 14.1 percent of total <br />vegetation cover. Similarly, alfalfa has risen from 6.2 to 13.1 percent of total vegetation cover <br />over the same time period. Canada thistle has declined slightly from 5.5 to 4.0 percent of total <br />vegetation cover. <br />• Implications of Shrub Density Patterns for Future Plant Community Structure <br />The high variability of Wadge Pasture shrub density data illustrates the fact that shrubs are <br />successfully occupying some sites, while in other sites they are not. Over time, this may result <br />in the presence of distinct shrub communities and herbaceous communities. As this develops, <br />it would be expected that certain wildlife species will find the proliferation of edges between the <br />structurally different vegetation types to be beneficial. On the small scale of the developing <br />patch configuration, small- to medium-size wildlife such as sharp tail grouse might find the <br />reclamation areas attractive. The presence of sharp tail grouse leks in the Seneca II <br />reclamation and in historic sites that are CRP intermediate wheatgrass stands (see ESCO <br />1996) suggests the possibility that these birds will occupy reclaimed mined areas. <br />• <br />21 <br />