A Simple, Lightweight Point Frame

Abstract

Topsoil from nearby undisturbed areas was stripped and directly laid over regraded overburden to a depth of about 20 cm at Kemmerer, Wyo., and Oak Creek, Colo. Native plant response was determined after two growing seasons with only natural precipitation. Rhizomatous species were the most valuable for establishing the perennial plants. Plant density averaged 4.16 and 1.77 plants/m2 at Kemmerer and Oak Creek sites, respectively, but the density was too low to meet State and Federal revegetation standards without additional seeding. Plants established from fresh-stripped topsoil are a plus in revegetation as opposed to stockpiled topsoil where these plants are lost. Rangeland topsoil contains seed, rhizomes, and other vegetative plant parts of many native species. Beauchamp et al. (1975), who studied Wyoming topsoil as a seed source for reseeding stripmine spoils, concluded that viable seed of desirable species was plectiful in the top 2 inches of soil. However, they indicated that seeding or transplanting of desired species would also be required to meet State reclamation standards. Kn$e and Springfield (1972), working in New Mexico, found that n_atural reproduction from seed of desirable range Authors are horticulturist and botanist, respectively. Department ot AgricultureSclcnce and Education Administration. High Plains Grassland Research StatIon, Cheyenne. Wyoming 82001, This study is a contribution from SEA-AR, U.S. Dep. Agr. in cooperation with the Wyoming Agricultural Experiment Statton, Unlverslty ot Wyommg, Laramle. It was supported in part by the Environmental Protection Agency Interagency Agreement Funds: EPA-IAG-DS-E763. Manuxript received February 8, 1978. 76 plants was subject to high loss by wind, water, animals, or insects, and unfavorable conditions for seedling establishment, thus limiting natural reseeding of disturbed lands. A survey was conducted in fall 1977 at two locations to determine species establishment and plant density on spoils that were topsoiled in 1976 with fresh-stripped topsoil. Study Area Study areas were located at the Kemmerer Coal Co. near Kemmerer, Wyo., and the Pittsburg and Midway Coal Co. near Oak Creek, Cola. Elevation at the Kemmerer site is about 2,3 17 m. The experimental topsoil came from a big sagebrush (Artemisiu rridenrutu) plant community. Major plant species included western wheatgrass (Agropyron smithii), slender wheatgrass (A. truchycuulum), big sagebrush, fourwing saltbush (Art-ip/e_r cunescens), and Indian ricegrass (Oryapsis hymenoides). The average annual precipitation at Kemmerer is 23.52 cm. Topsoil at Kemmerer is a Ustic torriorthent with a clayey, montmorillinitic calcareous, frigid, shallow family and loamy, skeletal mixed calcareous family. The slope is about 15%. At Oak Creek the elevation is about 2,286 m. The topsoil came from a mix-shrub plant community. Major plant species were sasi<atoon serviceberry (Amefanchier ulnijoliu), gambels oak (Quercus gumbeli), quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), big sagebrush, snowberry (Symphoricurpos ulbus), chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), and mountain brome (Bromus murginatus). The average annual precipitation at Yampa, Colo. which is 13 km south of the Oak Creek site, is about 39.37 cm. The topsoil at Oak Creek is an unnamed complex JOURNALOF RANGE MANAGEMENT 32(l), JANUARY 1979