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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 within each sample. Frequency for each plant <br />species observed during sampling of a particular area was calculated by dividing the number of <br />sample transects in which the species was observed by the total number of samples. As such, <br />this value is probably more correctly known as "constancy". <br />The total number of species (within each lifeform) observed in each 100 m2 sample provides a <br />measure of species density, indicating the relative species richness of different areas. These <br />measures provide a means of examining progress toward the return of diverse species <br />composition in the reclaimed areas. <br />Plant Species Listing <br />Scientific names used follow Weber and Wittmann (1996), common names cited are found in <br />Beetle (1970), Nickerson et al. (1976), or Soil Conservation Service (1979). Cross reference to <br />the substantially revised scientific nomenclature for the flora of Western Colorado, as set forth by <br />Weber and Wittmann (2001), may be determined by reference to Weber and Wittmann (1992) or <br />by reference to Appendix 2 of this report (Table 17). <br />During the course of the fieldwork, a list of all encountered plant species (quantitative plus <br />incidental observations) was compiled for each reclamation area and the reference areas. These <br />lists are summarized in Appendix 2, Table 17, Species Present -Reclaimed and Reference <br />Areas, which includes current nomenclature and cross references to older nomenclature. It <br />should be noted that all big sagebrush encountered were referred to as Seriphidium tridentatum, <br />without attempt to distinguish between basin big sagebrush (Seriphidium tridentatum) and <br />mountain big sagebrush (Seriphidium vaseyanum or S, tridentatum ssp. vaseyanum). <br />Photographic Record <br />Within each reclamation and reference area, representative color photographs were taken to <br />document the appearance of the vegetation in 2006 (Appendix 4). Within each photograph, a <br />placard identifies the particular area being illustrated. <br />Statistical Methods <br />STATISTICAL DESIGN OF SAMPLING <br />Cover and herbaceous production data were collected in all areas. Woody plant density samples <br />were collected in the 1999, 2002, and 2004 Reclaimed Areas and the Shrub Concentration <br />I ~ Areas, but were not collected in any of the reference areas. Sampling proceeded using a single <br />stage statistical design. <br />3 <br />