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FEB-02-99 10 :23 AM ESCQ_ASSOCIATES 303 499 4276 P. 01 <br /> Date pages <br /> post-it-Fax Note 7671 2 2 <br /> From : Q V G "" <br /> To e ���"`'e� Go �� David L. Buckner, Ph.D. <br /> Co IDW 9 Z�Q ESCO Associates Inc_ <br /> Phone e 3o3 y� <br /> Phone�+ P.O. Box 18775 <br /> ! Sl fax# 3 Z}6 Boulder, CO 80308 <br /> Fax e <br /> Draft <br /> Comments on Revegetation at the Coal Basin Mine, <br /> Pitkin County, Colorado <br /> 31 January 1999 <br /> INTRODUCTION <br /> High elevation environments in Colorado limit but do not preclude the potential <br /> for re-establishment of vegetation. Among the factors restricting revegetation <br /> are cold temperatures throughout the year, erratic moisture availability, high <br /> ultraviolet radiation exposure, abrasion of tissue by wind-borne soil/rock <br /> particles, and the severe desiccation of plant tissues by high winds. Despite <br /> these perhaps seemingly insurmountable factors in opposition, germination and <br /> establishment of young plants is feasible through attention to details of species <br /> selection and planting methods. At best, establishment of new plants at very <br /> high elevation is slow because of the above-cited factors, but given time to <br /> slowly accumulate carbon reserves and develop root systems, experience has <br /> shown that planted vegetation can eventually mature over a period of years. <br /> Expectations for establishment that are based on experience at low elevation <br /> will be too high at these upper elevations. <br /> 1 <br />