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quadrats were always oriented 900 to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect and placed one <br /> meter from the starting point so as to prevent trampled vegetation within the sampling quadrat. <br /> Determination of Ground Cover <br /> Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point-intercept methodology as <br /> illustrated on Figure 1. As indicated on this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation it <br /> has pioneered to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A transect of 10 meters length <br /> was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of each systematically <br /> located sample point. At each one-meter interval along the transect, a "laser point bar" was situated <br /> parallel to, and approximately 4.5 to 5.0 feet vertically above the ground surface. Hits were determined at <br /> each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low-energy specialized lasers" situated along the bar at <br /> 10 centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the narrowly focused (0.02") <br /> beams (Figure 1). A set of 10 readings were taken to record hits on vegetation (by species), litter, <br /> (including standing dead), rock(>2mm),or bare soil. In this manner,a total of 100 intercepts per transect <br /> were recorded, resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. This methodology and instrumentation facilitates <br /> the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data possible. <br /> ** Lasers utilized for this instrument are state-of-the-art and of specialized design to emit a unique electro-magnetic <br /> wavelength visible under full sunlight,a condition previously not possible with portable low-energy lasers. Furthermore, <br /> these lasers have been "X"2 Y" adjusted to provide parallel beams exhibiting a 10 cm spread and can be focused <br /> (collimated) to an extremely fine dot thereby facilitating substantially increased precision over other field laser <br /> procedures. <br />