Laserfiche WebLink
. In summary, the following conclusions can be drawn from the shrub establishment demonstration <br />plots to date: <br />• The use of grass species with relatively low competitive ability, as used in the <br />demonstration plots, appears to have resulted in unusually good shrub <br />establishment. <br />• Initial shrub establishment appears to be favored by fencing to exclude big game. <br />However, the long-term potential of shrubs that have established outside the fence is <br />unknown. <br />• Timing of seeding and post-seeding climatic conditions appear to greatly effect shrub <br />establishment in this region. However, seeds may remain viable for several years <br />during unfavorable conditions resulting in delayed establishment of seeded species. <br />• The use of shrub transplants may increase initial success, but the success of seeding <br />several shrub species such as sagebrush and bitterbrnsh at Colowyo mine relative to <br />Seneca mine illustrate the potential utility of this less-rostly approach. The <br />establishment of tall shrub species such as serviceberry and chokecherry may <br />require the use of transplanfs and protection from browsing as evidenced by results <br />from the Seneca demonstration plots. <br />• Lesser amounts of topsoil (15 cm) appear to be better for initial shrub establishment <br />relative to deeper topsoil treatments (50 cm) although these observations vary by <br />site and may not persist in the long-term. <br />• Continued monitoring of the demonstration plots will be critical to make meaningful <br />evaluations of these treatments since many effects may not become apparent for <br />several more years as plant communities progress from an early-sera) to mid- or <br />late-sera) conditions. Subsequent monitoring should be conducted every two or <br />three years, and should include more intensive shrub measures such as the use of <br />belt transacts for counting shrub density. <br />Overall, it seems that successfid shrub establishment is possible in these habitats so long as <br />important factors that reduce shrub establishment are considered in reclamation planning. These factors <br />include reducing competition from aggressive grass species, minimizing shrub damage by wildlife, and <br />reducing competition from weedy invasive or seeded grass species by using lesser depths of topsoil. <br /> <br />18 <br />