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3.1.5.3 Species Composition <br />. Cover sampling identified two lifeforms and 21 species within the 1999 reclamation azeas. <br />The lifeforms included eleven species of perennial graminoids, one annual grass, three <br />perennial forts, one biennia[ fort, and five annual forts. Of the species encountered on the <br />1999 reclamation areas, fifteen were native and six were introduced. Perennial species <br />outnumbered annual species by fpurteen to six, with one biennial. Cool season species were <br />slightly more prevalent than warm season species (12 to 9 species) this year in the 1999 <br />reclamation azeas. Warm season gaminoid species accounted for seven species and cool <br />season species included five species. Seven fort species were identified as cool season and <br />two were wazm season. <br />The 1999 reclamation areas had eleven species contributing Beater than three percent relative <br />cover this yeaz. These species included Kochia scoparia with 22.56% relative cover, <br />Calamovilfa longifolia (15.90%), Ambrosia psilostachya (13.33%), Bromus tectorum <br />(9.23%), Helianthus annuus (5.13% relative), Melilotus o~cinalis and Agropyron smithii <br />(4.62%), Oryzopsis hymenoides and Panicum virgatum wntributing (4.10%), Bouteloua <br />gracilis (3.59%), and Chenopodium album (3.08%). <br />3.2 QUALTTATIVE EVALUATION: 1985,1986, 1987, 2000 2002 and 2003 <br />RECLAMATION AREAS <br />3.2.1 1985 RECLAMATION AREAS <br />• The 1985 reclamation azeas encompass approximately 23 acres of reclaimed pit in the north <br />central area of the Keenesburg Mine permit azea. The 1985 reclamation azea is composed of <br />two pazcels (Areas 13 and 22) sepazated by a north-south haul road corridor (Area 19). This <br />azea is nearly flat with a gentle slope (<2°) to the north and east. Reclamation and coincident <br />revegetation within this azea took place in 1985. Replaced soils were sandy in texture. The <br />revegetation seed mix differed slightly in composition and representation of cool season <br />grasses from the seed mix applied to the 1986 and 1987 reclaimed areas, yielding a slightly <br />different species composition. <br />Observations of the parcels during sampling and at the end of the Bowing season indicated <br />significant growth this season, particulazly in the cool season gaminoid component. Several <br />fort species were observed. Plants appeared healthy in the 1985 reclamation areas, with good <br />cuhn and root vigor. Total mean vegetation cover was estimated between 45 and 50 percent <br />throughout both Areas 13 and 22. Herbaceous production of this azea was estimated at 150- <br />200 g/m2 (1337-1783 Ib/ac). There was no evidence of invasion by unwanted species or <br />evidence of pest or disease problems. <br />3.2.2 1986 RECLAMATION AREAS <br />The 1986 reclamation azeas encompass approximately 47 acres of reclaimed pit in the central <br />azea of the Keenesburg l~fine permit area. The 1986 reclamation area is composed of three <br />• parcels (Areas 4, 12, and 20) sepazated by north-south haul road corridors (Areas 3 and 19). <br />Coors Energy Company Page 13 <br />2004 Revegetation Monitoring Report <br />