2011-12-22_REVISION - C1981028 - Laserfiche WebLink

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soil comprised 6.27 percent of the ground cover. No rock or cryptogams were encountered during the cover sampling in the reclamation areas. 3.1.3 Species Composition Cover sampling identified four lifeforms and twenty -one species within the Phase III eligible reclamation areas. The lifeforms included eleven species of perennial grass, one annual grass species, one perennial forb, one biennial forb, six annual forbs, one succulent, and one shrub. Of the species encountered during cover sampling, fourteen were native and seven introduced. Perennial species outnumbered annual species by fourteen to six, with one biennial. Both warm and cool season species contributed to the seasonality of the reclamation areas. Warm season graminoids outnumbered cool season graminoids by seven to five. Cool season forbs prevailed by six to one. The succulents were evergreen and the shrub was deciduous. The Phase III eligible reclamation areas had eleven species contributing greater than three percent relative cover this year. The species contributing greater than three percent relative cover included four warm season perennial grasses, two cool season perennial grasses, one annual grass, three annual forbs, and one shrub. These species included Calamovilfa longifolia (39.03 %), Andropogon hallii (9.44 %), Bromus tectorum (8.67 %), Bouteloua gracilis (7.65 %), Helianthus annuus (6.89 %), Agropyron smithii (4.34 %), Medicago lupulina (4.08 %), Artemesia filifolia (3.57 %), Panicum virgatum (3.32 %), Bromus marginatus (3.06 %), and Kochia scoparia (3.06 %). 3.2 COMPARISON OF RECLAMATION AREAS WITH FINAL REVEGETATION SUCCESS CRITERIA Comparison of the reclaimed area values for vegetation cover, herbaceous production, and species composition with the final revegetation success criteria, indicates whether revegetation has been successful, or whether additional measures need to be initiated to enhance vegetation community development. The tables below allow the comparison of the parameter values with the standard to be achieved, either from the predictive equations in the case of total vegetation cover (y=0. 0173x + 14.562x-47.015), or the established standard for species composition. Total Vegetation Cover (2011) Predictive Equation Value for 2011: 35.41 % total vegetation cover Parameter Value X bar S N Nmin Phase III Eligible Rec. Areas 47.33% 5.64 15 3 Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 6 2011 Vegetation Sampling: Phase III Eligible Area