1980-07-11_REVISION - M1977493 (8)

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by companies and agencies represented by various members of the committee . Climax has provided funds on an annual basis since 1974. 9 . 11 SPECIES/STRAIN TESTING 1974 PLOTS This research involves the role of plant breeding in the improvement of supply and quality of plant materials for revegetation. In 1974 , Dr. Robin Cuany, CSU Agronomy Department, initiated species/strain tests at six alpine and subalpine locations, one of which was located at Climax . Dr. Cuany' s research is in conjunction with the "Committee for High-Altitude Revegetation" of which Climax is a major contributor. After two years of growth, evaluation shows hard fescue, red fescue, and chewings fescue well established and beginning to spread al- though early growth was slow. The bluegrass have not estab- lished as well as the fescues . The most vigorous large grasses include 'Rosana' Western Wheatgrass , 'Primar' slender wheat- grass , 'Manchar ' smooth brome , orchardgrass and Timothy. In 1976, species/strain tests were initiated at five high altitude locations in northwestern, northcentral and central Colorado, including Climax. Plots evaluated in fall , 1976 showed that emergence was generally good for all strains except Rocky Mountain penstemon, yellow sweetclover, alsike clover, and zigzag clover. Both species/strain tests are being evaluated this year. During 1976, native species were collected for preliminary evaluation of breeding opportunities. The objective of this program is to develop a native species seed source . 9 . 12 FORESTRY RESEARCH Visual and ecological effects of early mining and related land uses in the upper Tenmile Creek district remain apparent today. Hillsides of former spruce-fir forest have been displaced by large clearings with little or no established timber and by relatively young timber stands of spruce-fir and 9-19