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measurability and the lack of pertinent information that would be achieved from quantitative <br />sampling attempts <br />Peabody originally intended to use the point- intercept technique to measure cover in the <br />swale /drainage type. However, after utilizing the method in the field it became apparent that <br />the technique was inappropriate for use in the swale /drainage vegetation. The reasons for this <br />are related to the type of vegetation, the morphology of the plants, and the structural <br />complexity of the herbaceous foliage. Primarily, the predominance of a rather tall and densely <br />intermingled stand of graminoids with long narrow stems, and a very heavy litter component in <br />the foliage contributed to the problem. The end result was that the observers were unable to <br />accurately determine the identity of the vegetation being contacted, or in cases where <br />vegetation was encountered deep within the canopy, whether a hit was indeed registered. <br />Shadowing within the canopy very nearly precluded any accurate observations even during <br />mid -day. When a hit could be registered, it usually required a thorough investigation through <br />the foliage to ascertain the species intercepted. The sorting through the canopy tended to <br />disturb the surrounding vegetation, thereby biasing adjacent point projections. With these <br />problems noted, alternate sampling methodology was selected (ocular estimates) which <br />proved more satisfactory. Concurrence with the change was obtained from the OMLR via <br />letter correspondence dated September 3, 1987 from Mr. Peter O'Connor to J. Lunan of <br />Peabody. <br />Plant species frequency or presence was derived by dividing the number of plots or transects <br />at which a species occurred by the total number of plots or transects sampled in each of the <br />three vegetation types for which cover samples were obtained. Products were multiplied by <br />100 to express frequency as a percentage. <br />4.7 Vegetation Production - 1987 Quantitative measurements of vegetation production were <br />made in the sagebrush, irrigated pasture, graminoid component of the swale /drainage, and <br />irrigated hayland vegetation types. <br />Prior to the spring growing season in 1987, grazing exclosures were installed in the sagebrush, <br />irrigated pasture, and graminoid component of the swale /drainage types. Fifty randomly - <br />located sample points, protected by grazing exclosures were located in the irrigated pasture <br />August 2013 (PR 08) 2.04.10 -18 <br />