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- absolute cover (COVER-ALL column in data tables) was calculated by dividing all hits (first-hits <br />• and additional-hits) for particular species by the total number of points taken (100). In addition, <br />all-layer relative cover was calculated using all hits for particular species divided by the total hits <br />accumulated during sampling of the transect. <br />Herbaceous Production Sampling <br />Herbaceous production sampling was accomplished using one-half square meter (0.5 m2) circular <br />plots within which all herbaceous growth in a vertical projection was clipped and placed in labeled <br />paper bags. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was placed in separate, labeled bags. Lichens, mosses, <br />and woody plant species present in the sample plot were not collected. Clipped material was <br />returned to the ESCO laboratory and dried at 105 °C for 24 hours, then weighed to the nearest <br />0.1 gm. <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling <br />Woody plant density sampling was undertaken in all sampled reclaimed areas but not in the <br />reference areas. Samples were collected along 50 m transects. All shrubs and subshrubs with <br />root crowns located within the boundaries of 2 X 50 m quadrats (belt transects) were tallied <br />according to species and life stage as either seedling, mature, or dead. The presence of dead <br />individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant density calculations. <br />• Lifeforms Used in Data Presentation <br />To enhance understanding of collected data, all data and summary tables are organized by <br />lifeform. Lifeform categories used here reflect growth habit and provenance (place of origin). <br />Categories used are: native annual and biennial (orbs, introduced annual and biennial (orbs, <br />native annual grasses, introduced annual grasses, native perennial (orbs, introduced perennial <br />(orbs, native perennial grasses and grass-like plants, introduced perennial grasses, native <br />shrubs, native trees, ferns (and fern-allies), bryophytes (mosses), and lichens. <br />Plant Species Frequency and Density Measurements <br />During the course of cover sampling, all plant species occurring within one meter of either side of <br />the cover sample transect were noted as present. Frequency for each plant species observed <br />during sampling was calculated by dividing the number of sample transects in which the species <br />was observed by the total number of samples (see cover sample distribution by area above). As <br />such, this value is probably more correctly known as constancy. <br />The total number of species within each lifeform observed in each 100 square meter sample <br />. provides a measure of "species density", indicating the relative species richness of different <br />