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First hit interceptions were used to calculate absolute top layer foliar cover (see COVER column <br />in data tables) by dividing the number of interceptions for a particular species, or ground cover <br />type by the total number of points taken (100). First hit relative vegetation cover was calculated <br />by dividing first hit absolute cover for each species by the total first hit vegetation cover. All-layer <br />absolute cover (COVER-ALL column in data tables) was calculated by dividing all hits (first-hits <br />and additional-hits) for a particular species by the total number of points taken (100). In addition, <br />all-layer relative cover was calculated using all hits for a particular species divided by the total hits <br />accumulated during sampling of the transect. <br />Herbaceous Production Sampling <br />Herbaceous production sampling was accomplished in the 2002 and 2004 reclaimed areas using <br />one-half square meter (0.5 m2) circular plots within which all herbaceous growth in a vertical <br />projection was removed by clipping, separated by lifeform and placed in labeled paper bags. <br />Lichens, mosses, and woody plant species present in the sample plot were not collected. Clipped <br />plants were grouped into the following life forms as they were bagged: <br />- Native Annual /Biennial Forbs <br />- Native Annual Grasses <br />-Native Perennial Forbs <br />- Introduced Annual /Biennial Forbs <br />- Introduced Annual Grasses <br />-Introduced Perennial Forbs <br />-Native Perennial Grasses & Grasslikes-Introduced Perennial Graminoids <br />i• <br />Clipped material was returned to the ESCO laboratory and dried at 105 °C for 24 hours, then <br />weighed to the nearest 0.1 gm. <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling <br />Woody plant density sampling was undertaken in the reclaimed area but did not occur in the <br />reference areas. Woody plant density samples were collected along 50 m transects. All shrubs <br />and subshrubs with root crowns located within the boundaries of 2 X 50 m quadrats (belt <br />transects) were tallied according to species and life stages as either seedling, mature, or dead. <br />The presence of dead individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant density <br />calculations. <br />Lifefonns Used in Data Presentation <br />As a tool to enhance understanding of the collected data, the contents of all data and summary <br />tables are organized by lifeform. Lifeform categories used here reflect growth habit and <br />provenance (place of origin). Lifeform categories used include the following: native annual and <br />biennial forbs, introduced annual and biennial forbs, introduced annual grasses, native perennial <br />forbs, introduced perennial forbs, native perennial graminoids (includes grasses and grass-like <br />2 <br />