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West Elk Mine • Two vegetation types occur within the area to be affected by the main mine surface facilities, initially: a dry meadow type and an oakbrush type. The dry meadow community and the herbaceous layer of the oakbrush community were sampled by the quadrant method. The shrub layer of the oakbrush community was sampled using Lindsey's (1955} line-strip method. Herbaceous layer productivity studies in both community types were conducted using a harvest method. Herbaceous cover was estimated visually using randomly located 1-mZ quadrates. Shrubs less than 0.66.m in height were included in herbaceous layer cover determinations. Total vegetation cover (including lichens and mosses), cover by litter and rock, and cover by baze soil were estimated. These three components summed to 100 percent for each of the quadrates. Cover was also evaluated on a different basis in which the total cover for each quadrat was greater than 100 percent. This second approach takes into account the overlap that occurs underneath growing plants and may form two nearly continuous layers in the ground and herb layers. Using the first method (where all components add to 100 percent), only that portion of litter not covered by a vegetation canopy would be estimated. The only requirement using the second method is that the cover by all components must equal at least 100 percent. With the second approach, cover by vegetation, lichens, mosses, litter, baze soil, rock, and cover by each species were estimated. By obtaining data for each species, it is possible to obtain a measure of species diversity based on the number of species per square meter. Preliminary statistical tests were made in the field to insure that requirements for sample adequacy . were met. The final statistics were completed in the laboratory. In the affected area, a grid was superimposed on an aerial photo. The grid used for locating random sampling sites on this affected area measured lmm by lmm and was overlain on the 1 inch = 200.feet aerial photo base map. This relates to a squaze on the ground 8 Feet by 8 feet. Using aerial photographs, these randomly selected sites were then located in the field as closely as possible. Pairs of random numbers obtained from a random numbers table (Steel and Tome 1960) were used to locate quadrat coordinates. In the reference azeas, a steel tape was laid along one axis. Again pairs of random numbers from a random numbers table were used. The first number located a point along the tape and the second number was a paced distance perpendiculaz to the tape. Shrub cover, frequency, and density were obtained using the Lindsey line-strip method (Lindsey 1955). Cover by shrub species was measured along a 10-meter tape. Density measures for each shrub species were obtained by counting the number of individuals within a 2m by l Om rectangular quadrat. All individuals counted were also measured and separated on the basis of height class. Height classes were defined as follows: the lowest class included individuals ranging from 0.25 m - 0.75 m; the second height class included individuals ranging from 0.76 - 1.25 m; the third height class included individuals ranging from 1.26 - 1.75 m; the fourth height class included individual ranging from 1.76 - 2.23 m; and the fifth height class included individuals greater than 2.25 m. This pazameter gives an indication of the vertical distribution within and between the various species of shrubs. Location of the line-strip was random. The initial point of the line-strip was the central point of the randomly located circulaz herb cover quadrant. Production estimates were obtained from randomly located 1.0 m2 circular quadrates. Current year's growth for the clipped samples was separated into grasses, forbs, semi-shrubs, and shrubs. Forbs were further divided into perennials and annuals. Fresh weights were determined for all 1.04-147 Revised November 2004 PRI G