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Shrubs are considered important for providing cover for game animals as well as <br />• winter forage that does not became buried by snow and therefore inaccessible to <br />animals (Appendix 0). Shrubs however, have proven to be difficult to reestab- <br />lish. Serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia) and Gambel's oak (Quercus gambelii) <br />for example, two of the more dominant shrubs on the proposed mine plan area, <br />generally depend on sprouting for reproduction and are therefore difficult to <br />start from seeding (Berg, 1976). <br />Reestablishment of shrubs is further complicated by potential wildlife depreda- <br />tion and competition from grasses and (orbs (Draves et al, 1978). Newly emerging <br />seedlings are very palatable and attractive to wildlife (Lang, 1976). These <br />seedlings must also compete for water and nutrients with surrounding, quicker <br />establishing grass species. If seedlings are transplanted, they must survive the <br />initial shock due to sudden change in environment. One may reasonably assume <br />approximately one to two years will be required for a newly planted seedlings to <br />develop root systems capable of adequately satisfying the plant's water needs. <br />Soil physical and chemical properties will mandate to an extent the diversity of <br />shrubs in an area because of differential rooting requirements between various <br />• shrub species, e.g. . serviceberry does best on shallow, rocky soils whereas choke- <br />cherry (Prunus virginiana) prefers deeper soil. <br />Some species of shrubs occurring before mining may not be desirable for the post- <br />mining land use objectives. Big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) is common on <br />the proposed mine plan area and is the dominant vegetation for many sites (refer <br />to Section 2.3). Substantial potential exists to improve the forage available <br />for livestock by reducing the amount of sagebrush and increasing grasses and <br />forbs. Similarly, the density of shrubs over much of the mine plan area is pre- <br />sently detrimental to both wildlife and livestock. In much of the mountain shrub <br />areas, the shrubs have become too rank, too tall and too dense to allow access or <br />use by livestock or game animals (refer to Section 4.4.1.2). A lesser density <br />would be beneficial to livestock and wildlife alike. <br />Attention to these issues in Trapper Mine's reclamation plan is discussed in Sec- <br />tions 3.6.3, 4.4.1.3 and 4.6.2. <br />`J <br />3-67 <br />REVISED FEB 13'87