PERMFILE62258 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

• Once the boundaries of the reclaimed area were identified, then using a specially prepazed computer program which utilizes the random number generating capabilities of a Pentium II computer, the potential transect locations were identified. These coordinates were then entered into the GPS unit and the transect locations were marked in the field using either numbered wooden lathe or with plastic wire pin flags. At each transect location, the direction was determined by selecting a random direction based on the degrees of the compass. Once the orientation of the transect was determined, then the 50-meter tape was laid out across the site. Plant Cover. In this sampling effort, plant cover was evaluated by sampling a 50- meter transect. Along the outstretched tape, a total often points located at five meter intervals were utilized as the sample locations for the ten point frame. These points were then used as the sample locations for collecting plant cover along the transect tape. At each designated sample interval, an inclined metal ten-point frame, approximately one meter in height was positioned perpendicular to the tape. Using a sharpened metal rod, the location was sampled at ten centimeter intervals along the ten point frame. Each observation was recorded as to the specific plant species encountered as the rod was dropped. If no plant cover was encountered, then the observation was recorded as to the presence of plant litter, rock, or whether baze ground was encountered. The 100 data points collected along each transect tape were then sttmmarized into a single datum for purposes of statistical evaluation. Absolute and relative plant cover, species diversity, and plant life forms were determined based upon the observations collected in sampling the plant cover on each site • sampled. Species Diversity. The plant cover data collected along each sample transect yielded data in absolute cover as determined by the percentage of hits. These cover data were then converted into percent composition or relative plant cover by species based upon the total amount of plant cover encountered in each sample transect. The relative importance values of plants growing on the reclaimed areas as outlined in the Permit, contain standards as to the number of perennial grass species which can be found growing on the reclaimed azeas to ensure that a monoculture of a single plant or a few plants does not dominate the reclaimed azeas. The species diversity standard in the Permit commits the Operator to establish a reclaimed plant community composed of at least five perennial grasses possessing a relative importance value of equal to or greater than 3 percent relative cover, with no single grass contributing greater than 40 percent of the relative cover, and that these five perennial grasses cannot contribute more than 75 percent of the total relative cover on the site. The permit also states that if there aze more than six perennial grasses, each contributing more than three percent of the relative cover then this species diversity standrsd is waived. Shrub Density. Along each transect tape sampled in the Moffat Reclaimed Area shrub density data was collected using a modified belt transect by sampling one meter along each side of the transect tape. The right hand side of the transect tape was called Side A and the left hand side of the tape was called Side B. Data collected from each side were added into a transect value which • represents the number of shrubs sampled in the 100 squaze meter sample plot. These data were