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• As indicated in the agreement with CMLRD, the data from the Caprock <br />affected area will be used to set revegetation standards for the postmining <br />Caprock area as adjusted with resepct to the Pinyon-Juniper Woodland reference <br />area. <br />2.5 COVER SAMPLING <br />Vegetation cover was estimated using a point-intercept method along <br />randomly located and oriented transects (Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 19741. <br />Fifty data points were sampled along a 50 m transect. Paired points were <br />located on opposite sides of the transect, at 2 m intervals and 0.5 m from <br />the transect line. For purposes of evaluating statistical adequacy, each <br />transect li.e., fifty data points) comprised one "sample." <br />A siting device was rigidly mounted on an adjustable tripod to assist in <br />vertical orientation and point stabilization. The siting device was equipped <br />with fine cross-hairs to facilitate precise point definition. At each sample <br />point, the first hit or interception along a vertical projection (upward first <br />if overstory vegetation was present) was recorded as vegetation lby species), <br />rock, soil, or litter. Vegetation intercepted below the first hit was recorded <br />separe~tely as other hits. Only first hits were used in calculating absolute <br />cover. All vegetation hits were used to calculate relative vegetation cover. <br />• 2.6 PRODUCTION SAMPLING <br />2.6.1 Herbaceous Production <br />The above-ground plant biomass was estimated in each affected area <br />vegetation type and corresponding reference area by clipping rectangular <br />quadrats 1 m by 2 m (Z m21. Within each quadrat, the current year's growth <br />of herbaceous plants was clipped. Succulents and cushion plants were not <br />clipped. Graminoids were sorted by individual species; fortis were sorted into <br />native and introduced perennial and annual forb categories. The clipped <br />material was oven dried f105°C for 24 hours) and weighed to the nearest tenth <br />of a gram. Production was expressed in grams per 2 m2, pounds per acre, and <br />kilograms per hectare. <br />2.6.2 Shrub Production Estimates <br />At the beginning of this study, it was requested by CMLRD that <br />some estimate of shrub production be provided along with the required data. <br />It was agreed that, for the major shrub species, current year's growth would <br />be clipped from ten individuals of each species and oven-dried as with the <br />herbaceous production samples. These individuals were to be of variable size, <br />and the production data would be compared to shrub height and maximum crown <br />diameter via regression analysis. These regression equations (height versus <br />production and crown diameter versus production) were used to estimate shrub <br />production in the Pinyon-Juniper Woodland and Mountain Shrubland vegetation <br />. types based on quantitative dzta collected during this study. Height was <br />-3- <br />