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executive summary and quantitative data tables (Appendix B) summarizing collected data and <br />analyzing sampling adequacy follow as a portion of this report. <br />METHODS <br />Rocky Mountain Reclamation completed the field sampling for the low sagebrush reference <br />area on July 19 and 20, 1996 and completed field sampling for cover and production on the big <br />sagebrush reference area and reclaimed area between August 5 and 9. Additional shrub density <br />transects were completed on the reclaimed area between August 12 and 14, 1996. <br />Trained, experienced vegetation technicians were utilized for completing this vegetation <br />monitoring project on approximately 109.1 acres of reclaimed area and two reference areas. A <br />total of 50 transects were sampled for cover on the alkali sagebrush reference area and 25 <br />transects of the big sagebrush vegetation reference area. A total of 50 quadrats were sampled <br />for production on the alkali sagebrush reference area and 70 on the big sagebrush reference <br />area. The entire reclaimed area (Appendix D, Map 4) was sampled as a single unit and a total <br />of 27 cover sample points, 60 production sample quadrats, and 182 shrub density sample points <br />(line transects) were completed. <br />Locations: <br />The alkali sagebrush reference area is located on a south southeast facing slope in T9N <br />R78W Section 23 SW NW S1/2 (Appendix D, Map 2). The big sagebrush reference area is <br />located on a hilltop, east-facing slope and draw bottom in T9N R78W Section 22 NW SE <br />(Appendix D, Map 3). The reclaimed area under study ocwrs in T9N R78W Section 35 E1/2 <br />and Section 26 SE in areas reclaimed and reseeded prior to 1981, 1981, 1984, and 1986 <br />(Appendix D, Map 4, 1994 Reclamation Map). The sampling scheme for the reclaimed area <br />includes all areas cross hatched on the map and labeled Pre-1981 (one area totaling 30.25 , <br />acres), 1981 (one area totaling 43.07 acres), 1983 (one area totaling 23.26 acres), 1984 (two <br />areas totaling 1.27 acres), and 1986 (one area totaling 11.24 acres) for a total of 109.09 acres.--~ <br />Field worts consisted of pertorming sampling for: (1) percent cover by species, (2) percent <br />total vegetation cover, (3) percent bare ground, (4) percent total ground cover, (5) cement year's <br />above ground herbaceous biomass production by lifefonn, (6) shrub density, and (7) plant <br />species observed (Appendix C). <br />Cover.• <br />The line transed sampling technique was utilized for collecting cover data. The quadrat <br />method is potentially faster and pn be more efficient for data collection, but consistency and <br />accuracy are a concern if experienced technicians are not used consistently throughout the <br />2 <br />