2009-03-12_REPORT - M1983194

• Permit No: M1983194
• IBM Index Class Name: REPORT
• Doc Date: 3/12/2009
• Doc Name: Annual report
• From: Natural Soda
• To: DRMS
• Permit Index Doc Type: Annual Fee/Report
• Media Type: D
• Archive: No

Table 2 - Biomass Production from Native Rangeland
Jul 2008
2004
Production
Ibs/ac 2005
Production
lbs/ac 2006
Production
bs/ac 2007
Production
bs/ac 2008
Production
lbs/ac
Native Grass 109.1 119.0 170.8 298.1 335.66
Native Forbs 27.1 35.0 31.7 59.4 116.48
Annual Grass 2.1 16.7 5.9 10.0 12.31
Weedy Forbs 1.2 9.3 3.4 6.8 4.85
Native shrubs * * * * * * 92.1 154.0 182.07
TOTAL * * * * * * 303.9 528.3 651.37
Above ground biomass production for native grasses, forbs and shrubs continues to increase over
the 5 year period (Table 2). The 18 % increase in total production is most likely the result of
normal precipitation patterns and improved plant vigor and vegetative growth from established
mature plants following extended drought. Native grasses and shrubs increased their production
by 11% and 15% respectively, over 2007 values. Native forbs have shown a substantial increase
in production (49%) over 2007. Most of the increase from forbs comes from native perennial
forbs which responded to favorable spring and early summer precipitation patterns occurring in
2008.
Values for plant species composition (Table 3) have only been measured since 2006. These
values are based the above ground biomass production for each species and determined by each
species contribution to total biomass production. The substantial increase in native forbs
production in 2008 has resulted in the decline in species composition of native grasses and
shrubs from previous years, even though both had moderate increases in production in 2008.
Table 3 - Plant Species Composition for Native Rangeland
Jul 2008
2006 Species
Composition % 2007 Species
Composition % 2008 Species
Composition
Native Grass 56.9 56.4 51.35
Native Forbs 10.5 10.9 17.81
Annual Grass 1.9 1.9 2.07
Weed Forbs 1.1 1.7 0.82
Native shrubs 29.6 29.1 27.95
Total 100.0 100.0 100.00
Monitoring Results for Reclaimed Well Pad Sites
Above ground biomass production, plant species composition and ground cover data were
collected from three reclaimed well pad sites, IA-4HI, 3A-411 and 4-3H, on July 30 and 31,
2008. All three sites were fenced to exclude grazing use from livestock. The data were collected
from within ten 9.6 square foot quadrates randomly placed within each reclaimed well pad at the
peak of production for most of the plant species within the study areas. Biomass production was
2008 Annual Report 16 of 28