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• 2.0 METHODS <br />2.1 Experimental Design <br />Cuantitative sampling was conducted in several small isolated areas of <br />the upland sagebrush affected area and in the upland sagebrush reference <br />area which was established in 1979. <br />All sample points were located by a random process. A grid system was <br />constructed over the photo base neap (1":400') on which the affected <br />areas were delineated. Pairs of random r~uinbers were used as Cartesian <br />coordinates to locate sample points. The yrid cell size was 25 feet by <br />_ 25 feet. Likewise, sample points were located in the reference area. <br />Cover, production and density sampling occurred at the same randomly <br />located sample points. A total of twenty samples were completed in the <br />affected area and ten in the reference area. The sample size for the <br />• affected and reference areas were negotiated with ar~d agreed to by the <br />regulatory authority. <br />A point-intercept method was used for cover saniplirig, and quadrat <br />methods for herbaceous production and sfrrub density estimation. Each of <br />the sample tecYiniques is explained in the following sections. <br />2.2 Cover Sampling <br />Vegetation cover was estimated using a point-intercept method along <br />randomly located and oriented transects as described by Mueller-Doinbois <br />and Ellenberg (1974). Fifty points was sampled at 1/2 m intervals along <br />a 25 ni transect. Each transect (i.e., fifty data points) comprised one <br />"sample". At each point, the first hit or interception along a vertical <br />projection (upward first if overstory vegetation is present) was <br />recorded as vegetation (by species), rock, soil or litter. Vegetation <br />intercepted below the first hit was recorded separately; only first hits <br />• were used in calculating total percent cover. All hits were used to <br />calculate relative cover and frequency. <br />2 <br /> <br />