In this assessment, characteristic species were summarized from vegetation data collected on an individual single 400 m2 plot and compared with threshold values presented in Table 5-3 of the Revegetation Manual (Alberta Environment 2010) for exploratory purposes only. As this is not the intended use of that table, no real conclusions can be made about the number of characteristic species with respect to Table 5-3.
The three primary indices (species richness, diversity and evenness) were relatively easy to calculate for each plot and were compared over time by site type, age class, reclamation treatment. Nothing out of the ordinary was observed; however, it was recommended that the percent cover estimate protocols be changed to assign each plant in the 1 x 4 m and 2 x 20 m subplots a cover class, instead of simply indicating its presence. Percent cover can always be converted to presence but not the other way around. Abundance is the fourth community composition index listed in the Revegetation Manual that was summarized for a variety of assessment groups. In this report, characteristic species cover was summarized by plots re- measured in 2010 to show plant community change over time and ordinations were used to illustrate structural and compositional relationships among reclaimed and natural sites. This was the first year where the CCA ordination technique was used and it proved useful in express site, soils and vegetation data together to achieve a more holistic analytical approach.
NMS ordinations in this report showed a clear vegetation gradient from reclaimed sites of various treatments without canopy to those with a canopy and their relationship to natural regeneration and mature stands. Specific trajectories or pathways may be further explored as more species cover data are collected. It was recommended that the TSG continue to explore the integration of natural regeneration stands less than 40 years old into the monitoring program. Some discussion has started around this idea but a concentrated sampling effort is needed to fill this data gap within the plot network program. It was also recommended that the TSG continues to monitor (re-measure) sites in reclaimed areas to supplement knowledge in this area and continue to develop the classification of reclaimed sites using site, soil and vegetation characteristics as more data become available.