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1 <br />2.1 Roadside Refuse Disposal Area Test Plot Vegetation Sampling <br />' Cover, herbaceous production, woody plant density, and shrub height data were <br />quantitatively collected for each soil depth treatment within all three test plots and <br />within two areas outside the test plots on the Roadside RDA. The two additional areas <br />outside the Test Plots studied approximated the former study locations contained in the <br />' 1986 report (WRDC, 1986). Field data and sample collection took place between June <br />16 and 26, 1993. Field sampling was performed by Michael and Edith Savage of <br />Savage and Savage. Sampling methods were observed by Mr. Larry Routten and Ms. <br />' Erica Crosby of the Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology and Messrs. Larry <br />Reschke of Powderhom Coal and Greg Jones of Powder River Coal. <br />2.1.1 Vegetation Cover Sampling <br />Cover transects were systematically located within each soil depth treatment within <br />each test plot. The transects were centered from the ends (long axis) of each treatment <br />azea and run parallel to the long axis, at least two feet from the outside edge to reduce <br />the potential for edge effect influences from other plots or outside areas. Five cover <br />' transacts were equally spaced within each soil depth treatment block. Five cover <br />transacts (at each location) were systematically located and sampled at two locations <br />' (designated North and South Areas) on the RDA outside the test plots. The North Area <br />was located 25m north of Test Plot 2, lOm downslope. The South Area was located <br />25m south of Test Plot 2, lOm downslope. Test Plot sampling design is illustrated in <br />' Figures 2-4. <br />Vegetation cover was estimated by the use of the point-intercept method (Mueller- <br />, Dombois, 1974). An ocular point frame (Esco Associates) was used to minimize <br />instrument error and maximize precision and observer accuracy. At each point along <br />the transact, the ocular point frame was centered and leveled prior to observation. <br />' Transacts were 25 meters in length, with a sample data point being collected at 0.5 <br />meter intervals along the ttartsect. For statistical purposes, each cover transact <br />(comprising 50 data points) served as a sample unit. Data points recorded the first <br />' vertical "hit" on vegetation, rock, soil, or litter (above or below the instrument). <br />Cover data were recorded and reported by individual plant species. The first <br />' interception was used to calculate total vegetation cover values. Additional <br />interceptions were recorded separately on field sheets and used to calculate relative <br />cover of plant species (CDMG, 1988). Quantitative cover data provided the basis for <br />' calculation of species composition and diversity. <br />~- <br />