2013-04-19_REPORT - C2009087 (7)

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Only species density by vascular plants are included. Lifeforms used include: Annual/biennial forbs Annual grasses Perennial forbs Perennial cool season grasses If the index of similarity between the species density within the specified lifeforms of the reclaimed and reference areas exceeds 63 %, then Test C is passed. Alternative Test D): Native Species Presence Assessment The third alternative assessment of the species diversity of reclaimed lands set forth immediately below makes direct reference to the presence of native western North American plant species in reclaimed areas: Total cumulative # of native species* _> avg. reference area native species density (# species / 100 sq.m.) *In the cumulative presence data from 2 m x 50 m samples associated with the collection of a statistically adequate sample of the reclaimed area and including alfalfa and /or cicer milkvetch, which have often been included in seed mixes as nitrogen- fixers, due to the lack of suitable and available native nitrogen- fixers. If the total cumulative number of native species in the reclamation sampling exceeds the average number of native species per 100 sq.m. in the weighted average of the reference area sampling, then Test D is passed. Woody Plant Density Evaluation The criterion for formal judgment of the adequate stocking of woody plants on the PSCM site (formerly Seneca II lands) is as follows: Overall average density >_ 200 stems per acre with at least 5% of the BRB block possessing 2000 stems per acre. The location of shrub patches in BRB PSCM -2 (formerly Seneca II BRB 4) sample areas were documented by field mapping (in conjunction with mapping from stereo aerial photography) prior to field sampling. Polygons included were those that by visual estimation contained greater than or equal to 2000 shrubs per ac (one shrub per 4 sq.m. or 25 shrubs per 100 sq.m.). All other portions of the BRB PSCM -2 were labeled as "Background" density. 9