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Total average all-hit vegetation cover was 62.3 percent. Allowable all-hit herbaceous vegetation cover <br /> was 28.2 percent (Table H-10). Cover by standing dead, litter, bare soil and rock averaged 2.8, 18.1, <br /> 19.8, and 5.1 percent, respectively (first hit). Average species density was 29.8 species per 100 m2. <br /> DISCUSSION <br /> Climatic Conditions <br /> Precipitation in 2015 was at or above average from the fall of 2014 through the spring of 2015, including <br /> an exceptional increase in precipitation during May. 2016 saw a similar trend of at or above average <br /> precipitation between the fall of 2015 and the spring of 2016, including an exceptional increase in <br /> precipitation during January and April (Figure B-4b). This ample amount of available moisture during the <br /> early growing season can cause a boost in germination and an increase in abundance of dominant <br /> perennial species in established areas. 2014 and 2015 had above average temperatures between <br /> January and June (Figures B-8), which demonstrates an unusual combination of high precipitation with <br /> high temperatures. Temperatures decreased to below average in 2016, creating optimal conditions <br /> during the growing season. The sampled areas in 2016 exhibited positive plant growth effects as <br /> evidenced in elevated foliar cover and/or production, especially in the growth of perennial grasses and <br /> forbs which were much more abundant than what has been typical. <br /> Sample Adequacy Calculations <br /> Sample adequacy based on all-hit allowable herbaceous vegetation cover was achieved in all areas <br /> sampled during the 2016 Phase II evaluation (Table B-4). Details of the calculation of allowable <br /> herbaceous cover for each area are provided in Tables F-1 through F-7. <br /> VEGETATION COVER EVALUATION <br /> BRB-2a Cover <br /> As described above, a direct comparison of reclaimed area mean to standard is allowed under DRMS <br /> rules (CDMG 2005 revised rule, 4.15.11 (2)(a)) when sample adequacy has been demonstrated for the <br /> reclaimed and reference areas, each with a minimum of 15 samples. Sample adequacy based on <br /> allowable herbaceous all-hit cover values was achieved for BRB-2a and each of the extended reference <br /> areas, each with a minimum of 15 samples. Thus, a direct comparison will be used to determine success. <br /> 16 <br />