Laserfiche WebLink
• CSU/DMG Shrub Establishment Field Trials <br />Introduction and General Studv Description <br />Shrub establishment demonstration plots have been established at the Colowyo Mine, Seneca <br />II Mine and Trapper Mine. The goal of the plots is to evaluate cost effective methods for <br />establishing native shrubs on reclaimed lands. <br />Native shrub establishment on reclaimed lands has been a challenge. Competition from <br />herbaceous species and wildlife browsing present significant obstacles to establishment. <br />Introduced cool season grass species in particular were frequently seeded in the recent past, <br />and stands dominated by these aggressive grasses have suppressed establishment and growth <br />of the slow growing native shrub species. The uniform replacement of topsoil, at depths <br />ranging from 12-20 inches, may be another factor contributing to the homogenous grass <br />community structure. Grasses thrive at the expense of forb and shrub species. The young <br />shrub plants that do get established are highly desirable browse For deer and elk. Thus, heavy <br />browse pressure creates another limitation for shrub establishment. <br />In an effort to overcome these limitations, the Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) <br />requested Colorado State University (CSU) to assist with a study plan to evaluate shrub <br />establishment. A study design was developed after considerable discussion with <br />representatives from the mining community, the DMG and the Colorado Division of Wildlife <br />(DOW). Three coal mines in northwestern Colorado volunteered to assist with the project by <br />providing personnel, regraded lands for the plots, construction equipment, planting materials, <br />• elk proof fencing, and plot maintenance. At each mine demonstration plots were constructed <br />in the fall of 2000. Five to six treatments were established to evaluate shrub establishment <br />techniques that have commercial practicality on a large scale. The specifics of the Colowyo <br />demonstration plots are found in the Colowyo Mine Specific Field Trial section of this <br />narrative. <br />The study design took into consideration the possible limitations to shrub establishment. The <br />treatments vary at each mine to accommodate the reclamation techniques and material <br />availability for each site, but certain similar treatments were included at each mine. To <br />evaluate effect of the herbaceous competition, seed mixes were designed so that shrubs <br />contributed the majority of the seed mix. Two seed mixes were evaluated at each mine: <br />]) a native grass, forb and shrub seed mixture and <br />2) a seed mixture of unpalatable native shrubs and low-competitive native grasses and <br />forbs. <br />At each mine, one treatment included alternating strips seeded with only the shrub/forb <br />component of the mix. At Seneca Mine, treatments included seedling transplants, for tall <br />shrub species that have proven to be particularly difficult to establish from seed. <br />Typical topsoil replacement depths varying from 12 - 20 inches creates an ideal environment <br />for grass establishment. Therefore, the depth of topsoil on the plots was varied to evaluate <br />• shrub and forb response to topsoil depths ranging from 0 inches to 20 inches. <br />4.15-4 Revision Date: 12/12/05 <br />Revision No.: MR-77 <br />