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• Woody Plant Density Sampling <br />Woody plant density sampling was undertaken in all reclaimed areas sampled but did not occur in <br />the reference areas. Woody plant density samples were collected along 50 m transects. All <br />shrubs 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 follows: Seedling, Mature, or <br />Dead. The presence of dead individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant <br />density calculations. <br />Lifeforms Used in Data Presentation <br />As a tool to enhance understanding of the collected data, the contents of all the data and <br />summary 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 (orbs, native annual grasses, introduced annual <br />grasses, native perennial forbs, introduced perennial forbs, native perennial graminoids (includes <br />grasses and grass-like plants), introduced perennial graminoids, native shrubs, native trees, <br />ferns, bryophytes (moss), and lichens. <br />Plant Species Frequency and Density Measurements <br />During the course of cover sampling, all plant species occurring within one meter on either side of <br />the cover sample transect were noted as present within each sample. Frequency for each plant <br />species observed during sampling was calculated by dividing the number of sample transects in <br />which the species was observed by the total number of samples (see cover sample distribution by <br />area above). As 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 />areas. These measures provide a means of examining progress toward the return of diverse <br />species composition in the reclaimed areas. <br />Plant Species Listing <br />Scientific names used follow Weber and Wittman (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 Wittman (1996), may be determined by reference to Weber and Wittman (1992) or by <br />reference to Appendix 2 of this report (Table 16). <br />During the course of the fieldwork, a list of all plant species encountered (quantitative plus <br />incidental observations) was compiled for each reclamation area and the three reference areas. <br />These lists are summarized in Appendix 2, Table 16, Species Present in All Areas, which <br />includes current nomenclature and cross references to older nomenclature. It should be noted <br />that all big sagebrush plants encountered were referred to as Seriphidium tridentatum. <br />Photographic Record <br />Within each reclamation and reference area, representative color photographs were taken to <br />document the appearance of the vegetation in 2000 (Appendix 5). Within each photograph, a <br />placard identifies the particular area being illustrated. <br />Statistical Methods <br />Statistical Design <br />• Cover and herbaceous production data were collected in all areas except Wadge Pasture using a <br />single-stage sample design. Single-stage sampling of woody plant density was conducted only in <br />