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RULE 4 PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br /> <br />Rule 4 Performance Standards 4-47 Revision Date: 7/20/21 <br /> Revision No.: MR-235 <br />With regard to gaps in the overstory, the point-intercept procedure naturally corrects for <br />overestimations created by 2-dimensional areal (quadrat) or 1-dimensional linear (line-intercept) <br />techniques. In this regard, the 0-dimensional point is extended along a line-of-sight until it <br />intercepts something that is then recorded. Frequently points simply pass through overstory gaps <br />until a lower plant part, litter, rock or bare soil is encountered. <br /> <br />Regardless of instrument, a total of 100 intercepts per transect will be recorded resulting in 1 <br />percent cover per intercept. This methodology and instrumentation (excepting the 10-point frame) <br />facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, precise, and cost-effective ground cover <br />data possible. Identification and nomenclature of plant species should follow Weber and Wittman <br />(1996) Colorado Flora: Western Slope or newer text. <br /> <br />Determination of Production <br />Where production samples are to be collected (7+ year-old units or bond release units) current <br />annual herbaceous production will be collected from a 1/2 m2 quadrat frame placed one meter and <br />90° to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect to facilitate avoidance of vegetation <br />trampled by investigators during sample site location. If more production samples are necessary <br />than cover samples (typical case for bond release efforts), orientation protocol will be maintained <br />except that no ground cover data will be collected. From within each quadrat, all above ground <br />current annual herbaceous vegetation within the vertical boundaries of the frame will be clipped <br />and bagged separately by life form as follows: <br /> <br />Perennial Grass Perennial Forb <br />Annual Grass Annual Forb <br />Subshrub Noxious Weeds (if found) <br /> <br />All production samples will be returned to the lab for drying and weighing. Drying will occur at <br />105° C until a stable weight is achieved (24 hours). Samples will then be re-weighed to the nearest <br />0.1 gram. <br /> <br />Determination of Woody Plant Density <br />Two sampling methods may be employed for monitoring woody plant density within Colowyo’s <br />revegetated units. The first method, belt transects, may be employed when the size of the <br />monitoring unit exceeds one to two acres. At each sample site in such areas, a 2-meter wide by <br />50-meter long belt transect (or alternately 4 x 25 meter transect) should be established parallel to <br />the ground cover transect and in the direction of the next sampling point. All woody plants (shrubs <br />and trees) within each belt will be enumerated by species. Determination of whether or not a plant <br />may be counted is dependent upon the location of its main stem or root collar where it exits the <br />ground surface with regard to belt limits. A total of 5 or 15 belt transects may be sampled for each <br />monitoring unit. <br /> <br />For bond release sampling with belts, sufficient samples must be collected to insure adequacy of <br />the effort (to facilitate valid testing) in accordance with one of the three methods under either Rule <br />4.15.11 (2), or Rule 4.15.11 (3). Depending on the selected protocol, care must be taken to collect <br />at least the minimum number of samples indicated. <br />