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season species significantly dominated. <br />The dominant species, smooth brome, sweet clover, and alfalfa are cool season <br />introduced species commonly used in rangeland pastures. These species were most <br />likely included in the reclamation seed mix. <br />The other dominant species, field bindweed, is an introduced perennial. It is <br />widespread in cultivated areas, pastures, lawns, gardens, roadsides and waste areas <br />throughout Colorado. Active management would be necessary to eradicate the <br />species. Field bindweed is included on List C of the State's Noxious Weed list. List <br />C species are to be managed according to the local jurisdiction, which is Las Animas <br />County at TBM. It is not included on the Las Animas County noxious weed list and <br />therefore no formal management response is required. <br />2007 Production <br />Herbaceous production in 2007 averaged 79.4 grams per one-half square meter which <br />calculates out to 1418 pounds per acre. <br />2008 Results <br />Precipitation was considerably less in 2008 than in 2007 measuring 4.55 inches from <br />January through June. The lower precipitation was reflected in lower vegetative <br />cover and production values. <br />A total of 20 transects were sampled; nine on Pit 4; ten on the large Pit 2 contour <br />strip east of the county road; and one on the small Pit 2 contour strip west of the <br />county road. After calculating sample adequacy it was determined that 6 samples <br />were adequate for cover and 43 samples were needed to achieve production sample <br />adequacy. Sample adequacy was achieved for cover, but it was not achieved for <br />production. <br />2008 Cover <br />The average total vegetation cover in 2008 was 26.8%. Of this total grasses <br />contributed 10.5%, forbs contributed 43.2%, sub-shrubs contributed 7.8%, and <br />shrubs contributed 9.7%. The predominant species was smooth brome, an introduced <br />grass, at 8.6% absolute cover and a relative cover value of 32%. Yellow sweet clover <br />was the second most dominant species with 5.8% absolute cover and 21.8% relative <br />cover. Field bindweed contributed 3.5% absolute cover and 13% relative cover. It is <br />interesting to note that sub-shrubs and shrubs contributed 17.5 % relative cover in <br />2008 compared to only 7.3% relative cover in 2007. During 2008, 28 species were <br />observed in the cover sampling. <br />17