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2008 Species Composition <br />The total number of plant species encountered during cover sampling was twenty- <br />eight. Graminoids accounted for nine species, forbs - fourteen species, sub-shrubs - <br />two species and shrubs - three species. Some of these could not be identified in the <br />field. Of the species identified, seventeen were native and nine were introduced. A <br />mix of annual and perennial species was present. There were 19 perennials, three <br />biennials and five annuals. Contrasted to 2007, the contribution of perennials was <br />higher in 2008 than 2007. In 2007 annuals were 6.1% of the relative cover and in <br />2008 annuals were 4.7% of the relative cover. The higher precipitation in 2007 was <br />more conducive to the annual species. Seasonality of the reclaimed area species was <br />mixed, both warm and cool season species were present, with 2.6% of the relative <br />cover composed of three warm season grasses and three warm season forbs. In 2007 <br />no warm season grasses were observed in the cover sampling. <br />2008 Production <br />Herbaceous production in 2008 averaged 44.3 grams per one-half square meter which <br />calculates out to 790.6 pounds per acre. When compared to the 2007 production of <br />1417 pounds per acre, it appears evident that the lower precipitation in 2008 had an <br />impact on herbaceous production. <br />Vegetation Summary <br />The reclaimed area was quantitatively sampled to evaluate revegetation establishment <br />for the termination of jurisdiction process. Statistical evaluations were calculated as <br />necessary to evaluate the reclaimed area's cover and production for two consecutive <br />years. The post-mining land use at the reclaimed mine site is rangeland for the <br />eastern %2 of the permit area. Land owners in the area have grazed cattle on the <br />reclamation for many years and this use has been established. <br />This reclaimed area has a mixture of perennial graminoid, forb and shrub species - <br />conducive to the post-mining land use of rangeland. It is a self-regenerating and <br />permanent vegetation community. There are a number of introduced weed species, <br />including field bindweed, but none of the species from List A of the State Noxious <br />weed list or from the Las Animas County noxious weed list are evident. High <br />production values for the reclaimed area demonstrate the area's ability to provide the <br />necessary resources for plant success and the seeded plants' abilities to effectively <br />utilize those resources. <br />If the standards proposed by TBM in February 1992 were applied to the reclamation, <br />the 2007 sampling effort would be considered successful. There was at least 32.0% <br />absolute vegetative cover. Species composition, based on relative cover, was at least <br />45% grasses, 35% forbs and 1% shrubs. Production measured at 1417 pounds per <br />18