Laserfiche WebLink
1 <br />' VEGETATION SAMPLING FOR 2000 <br />' METHODS <br />' Vegetative sampling was conducted on June 26 through July 2 and July 6 through 8, 2000. The <br />two reclaimed areas (Mine 1 and Eckman Park) and the Pasture Reference Area were sampled <br />separately. Sampling was conducted for vegetative cover, herbaceous production, and species <br />' diversity. Transect locations for all areas sampled are provided on Figures 1, 2, and 3. <br />Vegetative cover nn the Pasture Reference Area was sampled using 50-meter point-intercept <br />' transects in a stratified random sample design (see Figure 1). Due to the small size of the <br />reference area, this methodology was implemented to ensure double-sampling resulting from <br />' overlapping transects did not occur. A measuring tape was placed along the southern edge of the <br />Pasture Reference Area. The sample transects were run perpendicular to the baseline tape with <br />randomly selected points of origin along that tape. The transects points of origin were randomly <br />' selected by multiplying the length of the reference area (395 feet) by a random number between <br />the bounds of zero and one. The resulting random starting points along the 395 foot baseline <br />tape were foot marks 14, 21, 56, 61, 68, 108, 119, 139, 176, 226. 258, 290, 344, 365, and 382. <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br />1 <br /> <br /> <br />Vegetative cover on the two reclaimed areas was sampled using 50-meter point-intercept <br />transects that were randomly located and oriented within each sampling area (see Figures 2 and <br />3). Transect locations or orientations that resulted in overlap of previous transects or the <br />sampling area boundary were randomly redirected prior to the point of overlap. Sample <br />locations and orientation were determined by overlaying a grid over a map of the reclaimed <br />areas, generating a random number table for X and Y values and orientation, and plotting them <br />onto the map. The distance and bearing from known reference points, such as trees, fence <br />comers, or road intersections, were then measured on the map and paced-off while following a <br />compass. At each transect location, a 50-meter tape was oriented toward the randomly <br />determined direction. Tvv'o sampling points, one meter apart, on both sides of the transect were <br />sampled at one meter intervals, resulting in 100 sample points per transect. Each corresponding <br />sample point was determined by projection of the ocular sight (Cover-Point Optical Point <br />Projection Device, Model 2) vertically downward and physically recording all manner of "firs[ <br />hits". The "first-hits" were recorded as rock, bare ground, litter, or live vegetation. Live <br />vegetation was further classified to genus and species. <br />The live vegetative "first-hits' were used to calculate total vegetative cover for each transect <br />according to Equation 1. <br /> (t) <br /> <br /> <br />1 <br />Tolul Vegelcnive Curer - Number of Hits on Y'egetaliun .r l00 <br />Tulin ,~'un:b~r of Puints <br />Mean vegetative cover for each area was the mean value for all transects in that area. <br />A- I <br />