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Wesr Elk Mine <br />1980 Vegetation Sampling <br />In 1980, the vegetative communities within the area to be affected were mapped. Cover and <br />production data were collected for each community to be disturbed. The purpose for conducting the <br />cover and productivity studies was to sample and characterize vegetation communities within the <br />affected area and to establish reference areas representative of the vegetation communities found <br />within the area to be affected. <br />A detailed vegetation map (Map 43) was prepared for the area to be initially disturbed by the main <br />mine surface facilities. A combination of field checking and air-photo interpretation was used in the <br />map preparation. Map 42 formed the basis of the vegetation mapping units. The location of the <br />historic record study area is shown on Map 53. <br />Two vegetation types occur within the azea to be affected by the main mine surface facilities, <br />initially: a dry meadow type and an oakbrvsh type: The dry meadow community and the <br />herbaceous layer of the oakbrush community were sampled by the quadrant method. The shrub <br />layer of the oakbrush community was sampled using Lindsey's (1955) line-strip method. <br />Herbaceous. layer productivity studies in both community types were conducted using a harvest <br />method. <br />Herbaceous cover was estimated visually using randomly located 1-m2 quadrates. Shrubs less than <br />0.66.m in height were included in herbaceous layer cover determinations. Total vegetation cover <br />(including lichens and mosses), cover by litter and rock, and cover by bare soil were estimated. <br />These three components summed to 100 percent for each of the quadrates. Cover was also <br />evaluated on a different basis in which the total cover for each quadrat was greater than 100 percent. <br />This second approach takes into account the overlap that occurs underneath growing plants and may " <br />form two nearly continuous layers in the ground and herb layers. Using the first method (where all <br />.components add to 100 percent), only that portion of litter not covered by a vegetation canopy <br />would be estimated. The only requirement using the second method is that the- cover by all <br />components must equal at least 100 percent. With the second approach, cover by vegetation, <br />Lichens, mosses, litter, bare soil, rock, and cover by each species were estimated. By obtaining data <br />for each species, it is possible to obtain a measure of species diversity based on the number of <br />species per square meter. <br />Preliminary statistical tests were made in the field to insure that requirements for sample adequacy <br />were met. The final statistics were completed in the laboratory. In the affected area, a grid was <br />superimposed on an aerial photo. The grid used for locating random sampling sites on this affected <br />area measured lmm by lmm and was overlain on the 1 inch = 200.feet aerial photo base map: This <br />relates to a squaze on the ground 8 feet by 8 feet. Using aerial photographs, these randomly selected <br />sites were then located in the field as closely. as possible. Pairs of random numbers obtained from a <br />random numbers table (Steel and Tome 1960) were used to locate quadrat coordinates. Tn the <br />reference areas, a steel tape was laid along one axis. Again pairs of random numbers from a random <br />numbers table were used. The first number located a point along the tape and the second number <br />was a paced distance perpendiculazto the tape. <br />2.04-145 ~ - Revised April 2004 PR10 <br />