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1 <br /> <br /> The low value in 1991 was almost certainly related to livestock grazing. <br />' There have been some other interesting changes over the last four <br />ears <br /> y <br />. <br />' Biq sagebrush has increased from 1.4 percent mean cover in 1989 to a <br /> high of 6.4 percent in 1994. Russian wildrye has increased from 0.2 <br />' percent mean cover in 1989 to 15.8 percent mean cover 1n 1995, which was <br /> more than twice the value recorded in 1994. Thickepike wheatgraes <br />' doubled in mean cover between 1989 and 1990, remained consistent at <br /> between 10 - 15 percent in 1992, 1993 and 1994, and decreased to 6.9 <br /> percent in 1995. Some of these differences are likely related to sample <br />' transect locations rather than representing major changes in the <br /> vegetation. <br /> <br />COMMENTS <br /> <br /> After seven years of sampling, it appears that the revegetation of <br />' the mined lands at the site is quite successful. Increases in cover by <br /> big sagebrush suggest that over time the reclaimed areas, especially the <br /> <br /> area reclaimed in 1984 will begin to resemble the surrounding native big <br />' sagebrush ehrublands. <br /> Data from 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 suggest that the <br />' reclaimed areas have developed the ability to withstand grazing <br /> pressure. The trespass grazing that occurred in 1991 caused the mean <br /> <br /> cover values to be approximately one-third less in 1991. Between 1992 <br />' and 1995, the mean cover values rebounded to levels that were comparable <br /> to those measured in 1990. Zt is possible that other factors may have <br />1 <br />' -5- <br />