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rr_.._ ...... <br />-8- <br /> <br />correct stele sizes needed to meet the specified data wnfidence <br />levels. Scare pre-sample data were available from previous studies at <br />Nucla Mine and these data were closely scrutinized in attests to <br />assemble information regarding natural variation in vegetation types <br />to be sampled. <br />2. Because pre-sample data alone are seldom reliable in accurately es- <br />tablishing sample size, a great deal of judgement based on the obser- <br />ver's experience in similar vegetation types, other studies perfonced - <br />in similar types and interviews with other experienced ecologists, was <br />used ]n establishing sample sizes at Nucla Mine. Interviews with Dr. <br />FflberG Dorn of Wyaning DEQ (April, 1979) provided scene insight as to <br />the e2Eablishment of adequate sample sizes. <br />Thus, all satrple sizes established to study baseline vegetative condition <br />at Nucla Mine wens determined by a crunbination of previous data, experi- <br />• enoe in similar vectet~~~h types and discussions with experienced parties. <br />Both canopy Dover (the percentage of the ground included in a vertical <br />projection of imaginary polygons drawn about the total natural spread of <br />the individual of a species) and basal Dover (aggregate cross sectional <br />area of the individual plants taken near the ground surface) were re- <br />corded for shrubs in the quadrat. Basal weer was determined for all <br />other life forms. Data were rewrded separately for each species in the <br />quadrat. As specified in Wyoming Guideline #2 (March, 1979), percent <br />litter/rock and percent bare ground were also determined for each plot. <br />DEQ Guideline #z (March, 1979) wnsiders both litter and rock as a part <br />of the ground cover. To facilitate estimation and rewrding of data at <br />each Dover quadrat, wvexage was divided intt~ six unequal classes and <br />the representation in each class noted by the appropriate wverage class num- <br />beY on the data sheet (Daubenmire, 1959). The midpoint of each coverage <br />class was used in the subsequent Dover data analyses as siwwn below: <br /> <br /> <br />