Laserfiche WebLink
relative cover of individual plant species and lifeforms. The quantitative cover data also <br />provided the basis for calculation of species composition and relative importance. <br />2.2.3 Herbaceous Production <br />Herbaceous production was estimated by the harvest method. One herbaceous production <br />plot was located and randomly oriented at the origin of each cover transect. Additional <br />production plots were randomly located. Herbaceous production plots were 0.50 meter <br />in area. All current year above ground live herbaceous plant biomass was clipped within <br />the 0.50 meter quadrat. Production material was air dried until weights varied by no <br />more than 0.1g. This season, plant lifeforms were separated and herbaceous production <br />for each lifeform is reported, as is total herbaceous production. <br />2.2.4 Species Composition <br />Species composition information was derived from quantitative vegetation cover data. <br />Relative cover information provided a basis for evaluation of the importance of each <br />encountered plant species and lifeform and for comparison to the final revegetation <br />success criterion. The table presenting data summaries for total vegetation cover also <br />contains the relative cover by species, and a column depicting the numerical ranking of <br />significant species by relative cover ( >3 %) within the reclamation area. <br />2.3 SAMPLE NUMBERS /SAMPLE ADEQUACY <br />For the purposes of vegetation monitoring at the Keenesburg Mine, set numbers of <br />samples were established for the parameters to be sampled by Savage and Savage and <br />CEC. The number of samples taken for each parameter was consistent with numbers <br />agreed to in the past by CDRMS. Due to the small size of Reclamation Area 23, and the <br />potential for oversampling skewing data results, five vegetation cover transects and five <br />herbaceous production quadrats were sampled this season. <br />Since the purpose of this sampling was the monitoring of the vegetative condition at the <br />revegetated areas of the mine, sampling need not meet sample adequacy requirements. <br />Minimum sample sizes and standard deviation are reported as an indication of variability <br />of the sampled parameters. Comparisons between sample mean parameter values assume <br />that the sample mean value of each parameter accurately represents the population mean <br />in all cases. <br />2.4 SPECIES IDENTIFICATION AND VERIFICATION <br />Species identification was accomplished in the field through the use of plant <br />identification keys (Harrington, 1954, Weber, 1990; Whitson, 1987; Zimdahl, 1990, <br />Stubbendieck, et al, 1995). In cases where plant identification was inconclusive in the <br />field, voucher specimens were pressed for lab identification. <br />Coors Energy Company Keenesburg Mine Page 9 <br />2012 Revegetation Monitoring Report <br />