Laserfiche WebLink
type. Thirty protected sample points were randomly located in the sagebrush and <br />swale /drainage types (graminoid component). The grazing exclosures were designed in the <br />shape of a cone with a circular base that exceeded 1m in diameter. The exclosures were <br />constructed with four -inch mesh woven wire and were anchored in the ground with rebar. The <br />cages remained in place until the production samples were collected. <br />With the exception of the graminoid component of the swale /drainage type, all production data <br />was collected concurrently with measurements of vegetation cover and frequency. The 30 <br />original enclosed plots in the swale /drainage areas were sampled concurrently with the cover <br />and frequency data as well. However, ongoing negotiations with the OMLR regarding <br />sampling intensity in the type, and the lack of achieving sample adequacy with 30 observations <br />necessitated further sampling. The additional samples were obtained in mid - August from 21 <br />randomly - located plots that had not been protected from grazing. This inconsistency was <br />determined not to be a problem since little or no livestock utilization was observed in the <br />swale /drainage type. In fact, the modified study design prescribed that randomly - located plots <br />in which any indication of utilization was detected would be discarded for sampling purposes. <br />However, no such plots were encountered. The range in sampling dates (approximately 30 <br />days between the dates of the two samples) did not introduce significant temporal variation in <br />the overall sample since most of the vegetation was in a post- reproductive (maintenance) <br />growth phase during the interval between samples. No attempt was made to sample <br />production in the willow component of the swale /drainage primarily because of <br />immeasurability. <br />Measurements of above - ground plant biomass were made using a 0.25m2 circular plot in both <br />the graminoid component of the swale /drainage and irrigated pasture types. A 1.Om2 plot was <br />used in the sagebrush type. Within each production plot, all green, living herbaceous plant <br />material was clipped as close to ground level as possible, separated by lifeform (annual forbs, <br />annual graminoids, perennial (orbs, and perennial graminoids), immediately weighed using <br />Pesola field scales, and bagged for laboratory analysis. Herbaceous plant material was not <br />sorted in the irrigated pasture samples. In the laboratory, samples were oven -dried at 30 °C in <br />a forced draft oven for 72 hours, or until a constant weight was obtained. Dry weights were <br />obtained on an Ohaus top - loading electronic balance which is accurate to the nearest 0.01 gm. <br />August 2013 (PR 08) 2.04.10 -19 <br />