Population trends of the mancos saltbrush, proatriplex pleiantha from 1991 to 1995, Navajo Mine, Northwest New Mexico
- Buchanan Consultants, Ltd., Farmington, NM (United States)
- Navajo Mine, Fruitland, NM (United States); and others
The Mancos Saltbrush, Proatriplex pleiantha is of concern of Navajo Mine, BHP Minerals due to its potential status as a threatened plant species. The occurrence of this plant within its natural range however, is strongly influenced by climatic conditions in the Spring. Seeds may remain viable in the soil for up to 10 years, thereby avoiding unfavorable years. Documentation of the plants occurrence and population trends at seven permanent monitoring sites were recorded by Marron Tasheck Knight, Inc. in 1991 and 1992 and by Buchanan Consultants, Ltd. in May 1993 and 1994. Six of the sites are located just outside the Navajo Mine lease boundaries and the seventh site in the Four Couners Region of New Mexico just south of the Colorado border. Results to date show a general decrease in P. pleiantha site size, number of plants at the site, plant size and plant density. There were no plants observed at any of the sites in 1994. Population data collected at sites in 1991, 1993 and 1994 show a decrease from 1992. These decreases are most likely due to unfavorable climatic conditions during the period of seed germination in 1991, 1993, and 1994. Climate during the Spring of 1993 and 1994 was dry and warm compared to wet, warm conditions in 1992 and to a lesser degree in 1991. A cool, wet spring climate appears to favor P. pleiantha germination.
- OSTI ID:
- 98688
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9506226-; TRN: 95:006357-0036
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 12. American Society for Surface Mining and Reclamation annual meeting: decades later - a time for reassessment, Gillette, WY (United States), 3-8 Jun 1995; Other Information: PBD: 1995; Related Information: Is Part Of Decades later: A time for reassessment. Volume 1 and Volume 2; Schuman, G.E. [High Plains Grasslands Research Station, Cheyenne, WY (United States)]; Vance, G.F. [Univ. of Wyoming, Laramie, WY (United States)] [eds.]; PB: 889 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Effects of one and two seasons irrigation on vegetal response, Navajo Mine, northwest New Mexico
Vegetation diversity within native and reclaimed coal mine sites: Environmental factors and seasonal variability