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eh <br />ESPEY, HUSTON & ASSOCIATES, INC. <br />• <br />2.0 METHODOLOGY <br />2.1 GENERAL <br />Sampling sites for wildlife were paztitioned according to the distribution <br />and extent of vegetation communities. Mountain shrub (See Chapter K for specific <br />composition), a mixture of scrub oak and heavy brush, was the predominant <br />community. Two sampling sites were set in this habitat type. An aspen pocket with <br />its mixture of grass and brush understory was sampled due to its potential shelter <br />for both lazge and small animals. Sagebrush was sampled since management and <br />operation facilities are due to be constructed in this azea. The mountain meadow <br />with its large and small stock ponds was sampled due to its contribution to primary <br />production in the azea. An ecotona2 azea of mountain shrub, meadow and ponds was <br />sampled due to its immediate proximity to an existing mine portal. <br />• <br />In order to document seasonal variation in the composition, distribution, <br />and abundance of wildlife, sampling was accomplished in May (for late migrants and <br />summer residents), July (for summer residents), September (for late summer <br />residents and fall migrants) and December-January (for winter residents). <br />Quantitative estimates of absolute or relative density and abundance of <br />wildlife were obtained using flush transects modified after Emlen (1970), rodent <br />live-trapping along the transects, mist-netting for bats, and ground location and <br />couats of raptors and game animals. Taxonomic classification was based on <br />Armstrong (1972) and Bissell (1978) for mammals; Bailey and Niedrach (1965) and <br />Kingery and Graul (1978) for birds; and Langlois (1978) and Stebbins (1966) for <br />reptiles and amphibians. <br /> <br />L-5 <br />