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VEGETATION SAMPLING FOR 2003 <br />METHODS <br />Vegetative sampling was conducted on June 20 through June 23, 2005. Two reclaimed area units (AVF <br />and Rangeland) and two corresponding reference azeas (AVF and Rangeland) were sampled separately. <br />Sampling was conducted for vegetative cover and herbaceous production on each azea, with species <br />diversity evaluated on the Rangeland sampling units. Transect locations for the year 2005 sampling event <br />aze displayed on Figures 1 and 2. <br />Vegetative cover on each reference azea was sampled using 25-meter point-ttansects that were oriented <br />perpendiculaz to a baseline tape paralleling the eastern side of each reference area. Upon initiation of <br />sampling in each reference area, the predetermined side-lengths (measured in the office) were found to be <br />inaccurate and would have resulted in a portion of the reference area potentially not captured by the <br />random selection of origin points. Prior to conducting the fast transect in each reference azea, the <br />sampling team re-generated random sample points-of-origin along the baseline tape. Transect locations <br />for each reference azea aze displayed on Figure 1. <br />Vegetative cover on each reclaimed area was sampled using 25-meter point-intercept transects that were <br />randomly located and oriented within each sampling azea (see Figure 2). Transect locations or <br />orientations that resulted in overlap of previous transects or the sampling area boundary were rnndomly <br />redirected prior to the point of overlap. Sample locations and orientation were determined by overlaying a <br />grid over a map of the sampling units, generating a random number table for X and Y values and <br />orientation, and plotting them onto the map. The distance and bearing from known reference points, such <br />as trees, fence comers, or road intersections, were then measured on the map and paced off while <br />following a compass. At each transect location, a 25-meter tape was oriented toward the randomly <br />determined direction. <br />For each transect, two sampling points, 1 meter apart, on both sides of the transect were sampled at 1- <br />meter intervals, resulting in 50 sample points per ttazlsect. Each corresponding sample point was <br />detemvned by projection of the ocular sight (Cover-Point t?ptical Point Projection Device, Model 2) <br />vertically downwazd and physically recording all' manner of "first hits". The "first hits" were recorded as <br />rock, bare ground, litter, or live vegetation. Live vegetation was further classified to genus and species. <br />The live vegetative "first hits" were used to calculate total vegetative cover for each transect according to <br />Equation 1. <br />(1) <br />Total Vegetative Cover -Number of Hits on Vegetation x 100 <br />Total Number of Points <br />Mean vegetative cover for each area was the mean value for all transects in that azea. <br />The diversity of plant species in each area was evaluated using data acquired from the point-intercept <br />transects. Data from the transects was used to detemilne the relative cover of each species detected <br />(Equation 2). <br />(2) <br />Relative Cover of Species X = ~ Cover of Species X <br />Total Vegetative Cover <br />292 -Golden Fagle Phase III (10.07.05) A-1 <br />