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Statistical Methods <br />STATISTICAL DESIGN <br />Cover and herbaceous production data were collected in all interim sampling areas (2006 <br />reclaimed and extended reference areas). Woody plant density data were collected in 2006 <br />reclaimed areas and in the shrub concentration areas as described above, but woody plant <br />density samples were not collected in any of the reference areas. Sampling proceeded using a <br />single stage statistical design. <br />Sample locations in reclaimed areas were randomly plotted by use of an internal script routine <br />within ArcView 9.3 software. Minimum spacing between sample points was 170 feet (one 50 m <br />transect length). The SCC- assigned number of samples for a given parameter in a given area <br />reflected previously experienced sample variability or the level of precision required for that area. <br />Sample points were located in the field using Garmin 60 GPS handheld units and topographic <br />maps. Cover and woody plant density transects were oriented using, at a glance, the seconds <br />reading on a wristwatch x 6 as an azimuth or a blind spin of a meter stick. The final location of <br />each herbaceous production plot was chosen with a blind throw of the sampling hoop made from <br />the origin of the associated cover /woody plant density transect. At each cover /woody plant <br />density sampling location, the slope (percent) and aspect of the site were determined and <br />recorded, as was the orientation of the transect (in degrees not corrected for magnetic <br />declination). <br />4 <br />