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.

Soil ingestion rates calculated from titanium concentrations in feces from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) feeding in a grassland-shrub community in northcentral Colorado in g/day (mean +/- SD) were: spring, 29.6 +/- 20.1; summer, 7.7 +/- 10.2; fall, 8.8 +/- 6.5; and winter 18.3 +/- 10.8. Based on observations of feeding tame deer, intake in winter appeared to be primarily due to direct soil ingestion from pocket gopher (Thomomys talpoides) mounds, roads, and other areas of exposed soil. The greatest intake during spring was likely due to indirect consumption of soil adhering to ingested vegetation. Soils from locations where tame deer had consumed soil were analyzed for trace elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, K, Na, and Zn) and compared to areas where no soil intake was observed. No significant differences (alpha=0.05) in mean levels of these elements was detected between areas. Most likely, deer at Rocky Flats were not selecting soils based strictly on mineral content, but instead were consuming soil indiscriminately. Ingested soil may provide a source of trace elements as well as a mode of entry for environmental pollutants.

A literature survey was made for the occurrence of C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways in the United States Gramineae. Distinctive characteristics of the two photosynthetic pathways are discussed. Leaf anatomy, CO2 compensation point, net enhancement of photosynthesis in oxygen-deficient atmosphere, 13 C discrimination, and initial product labeling were criteria selected to evaluate data for 6 subfamilies including 25 tribes, 138 genera, and 632 species. The Arundinoideae, Bambusoideae, Oryzoideae, and Pooideae (Festucoideae) are composed of species with C3 pathways. All tribes within the Eragrostoideae have C4 pathways with the exception of Unioleae. Within the Panicoideae, the Andropogoneae and all of the Paniceae, excepting the genera Sacciolepus, Isachne, Oplismenus, Amphicarpum, and Panicum, have C4 pathways. The subgenus Dichanthelium within Panicum is C3 while the Eupanicum subgenus contains plants with both C3 and C4 photosynthetic pathways.

Grazing system terminology is a problem in the range management field. The proposed dichotomous key standardizes terminology and facilitates communication.

Nitrogen (N) alone, and in combination with phosphorus (P), was applied to sagebrush (Artemisia cana)-grassland vegetation which formed part of a traditional winter range for pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) in southeastern Alberta. Fertilizer was applied once, in April of 1975, and forage quality, forage production, and pronghorn response were monitored for the next three growing seasons. Forage quality on fertilized plots increased initially, but by late summer of each year, nutritional content was essentially similar in fertilized and control areas. Forage production increased markedly in each of the 3 years. The application of P in addition to N had little impact on forage quality and production. In year two and three following fertilizer treatment, N levels of 84, 168, and 252 kg/ha resulted in progressively more forage produced with each increase in N. Pronghorns selectively utilized the fertilized plots more heavily than adjacent control areas. The inability to increase protein content in cured samples of sagebrush and pasture sage through fertilizer treatment detracts from the value of this procedure for improving pronghorn winter ranges. The general increases in total forage production and hence total protein production and the preference of pronghorns for treated areas, however, suggest that the procedure should be evaluated further.

Removal of overstory canopy of American elm (Ulmus americana) greatly increased the utilization of understory herbaceous vegetation by cattle. Cattle browsing killed all the elm sprouts.

Balsam poplar, aspen, and willows that had invaded subirrigated sandy rangeland were treated with (1) prescribed spring burning, (2) the herbicide 2,4-D ester, and (3) prescribed burning followed by 2,4-D ester. After 5 years, burning and spraying had reduced brush the most. Brush reinvasion was occurring rapidly on all treated areas. Stand openings of about one quarter hectare in an 8 meter high poplar forest resulting from these treatments did persist for at least 5 years. Treatments were effective enough to lower the forest cover and in some cases increase forage production. Repeated burning and spraying substantially reduced the density of reinvading woody suckers.

The germination of arrowleaf balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata) and mules ear (Wyethia amplexicaulis) was studied. Both species are important coarse forbs on sagebrush (Artemisia) rangelands in western North America. Germination of the seeds (achenes) of both species was enhanced by cool-moist stratification, 4 weeks at 2 or 5 degrees C for mules ear and 12 weeks for arrowleaf balsamroot. After stratification, mules ear seeds germinated at a wide range of constant and alternating temperatures. Germination of arrowleaf balsamroot seeds was greatly enhanced by stratification, but even after stratification, germination was restricted to comparatively low temperatures.

A simple, lightweight, yet rugged point frame is described. This frame can be easily constructed at a relatively low cost (1975 cost of materials=$6.00 per frame).