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<br />SUMMARY <br />The Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (CDMG) sponsored this study to evaluate native <br />shrub establishment on reclaimed lands. Two main limitations to shrub establishment at Colorado <br />reclaimed mines are browsing and competition from aggressive herbaceous species. The goal of this <br />Shrub Establishment Study is to evaluate methods for providing enhanced wildlife habitat after mining. <br />The first phase of this study included a comprehensive literature review, which was submitted to CDMG <br />in June, 2000. The literature review covered the biology, ecology, and propagation of seven species that <br />aze of primary importance for wildlife habitat in Colorado. This review was published in the journal Land <br />degradation and development in 2003. <br />The second phase of the project involved a field study to evaluate reclamation techniques to <br />overcame these obstacles. The experimental design used large-scale demonstration plots that were <br />constructed with normal reclamation equipment to test shrub establishment techniques that have <br />commercial practicality. Plots were established at three surface mines (Colowyo, Trapper and Seneca) in <br />norlhwestem Colorado. Several treatments were tested to evaluate shmb establishment on spoil material, <br />15 cm of topsoil, and 46 cm of topsoil. Plots were strip seeded with native seed mixes, alternating rows <br />of herbaceous species and shrub species. Native shrub transplants were planted at one mine. Half of each <br />treatment was fenced to prevent browsing. Plots were installed in 2000. <br />Results of the study to date indicate that timing of seeding operations can greatly effect shrub <br />establishment in this region. However, seeds may remain viable for several years resulting in delayed <br />establishment of seeded shrub species. The use of shmb transplants may increase initial success, but the <br />documented success of seeding for Sagebrush observed at Colowyo mine relative to Seneca mine <br />illustrate the potential utility of this less-costly approach. The study has revealed that initial shmb <br />establishment appears to be favored by fencing to exclude big game. However, the long-term potential of <br />. shrubs that have established outside the fence is unknown. Lesser amounts of topsoil (15 cm) appear to <br />• <br />be better for shmb establishment relative to deeper topsoil treatments (50 cm). <br />Continued monitoring of the demonstration plots will be critical to make meaningful evaluations <br />of these treatments as many effects may not become apparent for several more years as plant communities <br />progress from an eazly-seral to mid- or late-seral conditions. <br />