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' Wdd/i/e Upland Reference Area - Caver. Producnan, and Woodv S(em Density • reference area has flora representative ofclearings associated with the Conifer-Shrub and Oak-Shrub communities, which aze the pre-mining vegetation communities that the original upland wildlife reference area was established for. The Upland Wildlife Reference Area covers approximately I .l 8 acres and the four comers have been staked with fence-posts. Figure 1 depicts the location of the reference area in relation to the New Elk Mine. Figure 2 provides a representation of the shape and size of the azea. 2.2 Random Sample Locations The entire sampling event was based upon the randomly determined points-of-origin for the cover transects. Sample locations for the 25-meter point-intercept transects were generated using a uniform grid system overlaid on a sketch-map of the reference azea. Random numbers were generated prior to leaving the office utilizing the Quattro Pro Version 6 random number generator. The resultant random numbers table determined the coordinates for transect origin and compass bearing. Sample locations were numbered and aze presented on Figure 2. Sample locations were determined in the field by pacing from the nearest corner fence-post. 2.3 Vegetative Ground Cover Vegetative ground cover was measured through placement of a 25-meter tape along each transect • location. Transects oriented in such a way that would have resulted in an overlap of a previous transect were redirected before the point of intersection. Two sampling points (one meter apart) on both sides of the transect were sanrpled at one meter intervals, resulting in SO sample points per transect. Each corresponding sample point was determined by projection ofthe ocular sight (Cover- Point Optical Point Projection Device, Mode12) vertically downward and physically recording all manner of"first hits". The "first hits" were recorded as rock, bare ground, litter, or live vegetation. Live vegetation was further classified to genus and species. The live vegetative "firs[ hits" were used to calculate total vegetative cover for each transect according to Equation 1. (1) Percent Total Vegetative Cover _ Number of Hits on Vegetation Total Number of Points Initially, fifteen transects were evaluated for success comparison and statistical evaluation purposes. The Snedecor-Cochran sample adequacy formula (Equation 2) was utilized to determine that an adequate number of transects were sampled. Sarpple adequacy was reached upon the completion of fifteen transects. U Corer ProEUaion Dcnsiry' - Erb I5.63bWOwmba 5. 1990