2012-04-02_REPORT - C2009087 (6)

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provides a means of examining progress toward the return of diverse species composition in the reclaimed areas. Plant Species Listing Scientific names used except as noted follow Weber and Wittmann (2001); common names cited are found in Beetle (1970), Nickerson et al. (1976), or Soil Conservation Service (1979). Cross - reference between older names and revised names used here can be made by referring to Appendix D of this report. During the course of fieldwork, a list of all plant species encountered (quantitative plus incidental observations) was compiled for each potentially affected vegetation type and for the three reference areas. These lists are tabulated in Appendix D, "Species Presence for All Areas." Note that all big sagebrush plants encountered were referred to as Seriphidium tridentatum. Plants referred to here as Poa secunda are the plants formerly known as big bluegrass (Poa ampla) a species commonly included in reclamation seed mixes. The taxonomic treatment of Weber and Wittmann (1996) places Poa ampla (as well as Poa sandbergii) with Poa secunda. Despite this merger, the distinctness of Poa ampla is worth noting. Mountain bromegrass encountered during sampling is referred to as Ceratochloa polyantha in recognition of its perennial habit compared to the C. carinatus taxon included in Weber and Wittmann (2001) as the appropriate name for Colorado plants. The latter taxon (C. carinatus) is an annual. Festuca ovina (sheep fescue) was included in the reclaimed area seed mixes generally. The degree to which sheep fescue differs morphologically from the native Festuca saximontana (Rocky Mountain fescue) is very minimal. Here those occurring in the reclaimed area have been called F. ovina and those in the reference areas F. saximontana. Photographic Record Within each area, representative color photographs were taken to document the appearance of the vegetation in 2010 and 2011 (Appendix F). Where appropriate, a placard identifies the particular area and sample. Statistical Methods Sampling was conducted at randomly located sites. Random sampling locations were generated using ESRI ArcMap 9.3 software and Hawth's Analysis Tools for ArcGIS (Beyer 2004). Garmin GPS60 units (accuracy to 3 m) and topographic maps were used in the field to locate random points. Cover and woody plant transects were randomly oriented; production samples were located randomly behind the transect origin. At each cover /woody plant density sampling location, the slope, expressed as a percent, 4