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landing was the sample location; in large areas a grid was established with <br />~1 a rectangular coordinate system. Two numbers were selected from a random <br />numbers table and one was assigned to each of the axes of the coordinate <br />system. The precise spot for each sample was then located on Lhe ground <br />by pacing the number of steps along each axis as indicated by each of the <br />random numbers. If sample selection procedures took the observer out of <br />the suitable area of vegetation, the location was rejected and another was <br />chosen. <br />These procedures were repeated until the requisite number of samples were <br />obtained in each vegetation type. Locations were selected for clipping <br />herbaceous biomass. Different locations were chosen for measuring woody <br />shrub density and herbaceous cover; both parameters were measured <br />together in large quadrats. The total number of plots to be sampled in <br />each community type were distributed more or less evenly among each of <br />the stands or areas suitable for sampling. <br />Procedures for sample site selection were slightly different in the reference <br />• areas. Since reference areas were specifically selected to be comparable to <br />the appropriate mine plan areas, unsuitable areas were eliminated before <br />the reference areas were selected, and thus, the entire reference area <br />could be sampled randomly. Procedures for precisely locating each sample <br />site were the same as for the mine plan areas. <br />Sample sites in the wet meadow community were also chosen randomly by <br />tossing a frisbee to various locations within this severalacre area. <br />2.3 Standing Crop Biomass <br />Herbaceous vegetation (grasses, grasslike plants and fortis) was clipped in <br />each of the nine different measurement areas. The clipping technique was <br />the same in each area. All plots were square and one square meter in <br />area. All herbaceous vegetation was clipped to ground level and placed in <br />a bag. Clipped material was then sorted and major species were sep- <br />arated. Minor species were grouped together under grass or forb cate- <br />gories. Each group of plant material from each plot was labeled, placed in <br />a paper bag, and dried for about 24 hours at 55b5oC. On completion of <br />drying, bags were removed from the oven, allowed to cool, and plant <br />material was weighed. <br />