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Total average vegetation cover for first hits was 61.8 percent. Allowable all -hit herbaceous vegetation <br />cover was 26.6 percent (Table F -5). Cover by standing dead, litter, bare soil and rock averaged 1.4, 16.1, <br />17.2 and 3.5 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 26.4 species per 100 sq. m. <br />2014 Western Wheatgrass/ Alkali Sagebrush Extended Reference Area <br />(Photographs 92 through 111) <br />COVER <br />(Table A -6) <br />Native perennial cool season grasses were the predominant lifeform observed in the Western <br />Wheatgrass/ Alkali Sagebrush Reference Area, contributing 20.9 percent all -hit vegetation cover. Of this, <br />western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithiv) contributed 9.1 percent, Agassiz bluegrass 3.4 percent, and <br />Sandberg bluegrass (Poa secunda) 2.6 percent. Native perennial forbs were nearly as abundant with <br />18.6 percent all -hit cover, most of which was weedy milkvetch (Astragalus miser) and mulesear (Wyethia <br />amplexicaulis). Also observed in the area was the noxious weed hound's tongue. <br />Total average vegetation cover for first hits was 45.4 percent. Allowable all -hit herbaceous vegetation <br />cover was 46.7 percent (Table F -6). Cover by standing dead, litter, bare soil and rock averaged 0.4, 28.2, <br />26.0 and 0 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 23.1 species per 100 sq. m. <br />DISCUSSION <br />Climatic Conditions <br />2014 had above average precipitation for the 12 months preceding sampling (Figure H -5b). It also had <br />slightly above average temperature (Figure H -8). This is an unusual combination in that most extra -moist <br />years are also cool years in general. The effect on plant growth was marked, especially in the form of <br />the growth of forbs which was very much more abundant than what has been typical. <br />15 <br />