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INTRODUCTION <br />This report presents vegetation cover and species diversity data <br />for the reclaimed areas at the Walden Coal Company Mine site located <br />northeast of Walden, Colorado. The reclaimed areas at the Bite consist <br />of two parcels: one that was reclaimed in 1984 and a second that was <br />reclaimed in 1988. Sampling results are presented for each of these two <br />areas and also for the two areas combined. These areas were also <br />sampled in 1989, 1990 and 1991. Tabular summaries of mean cover data <br />for the four sampling years are also presented as a means of evaluating <br />vegetation changes that have occurred over the past three growing ~ <br />eeasone. Field sampling for this project was conducted on July 30, <br />1992. <br />METHODS <br />Vegetation cover data were obtained using a point transect method. <br />With this approach, observations on plant cover were made at one-meter <br />intervals along a 25 meter transect. At each observation point, cover <br />was evaluated using an optical Bighting device. The device consists of <br />an objective lens equipped with sighting cross-hairs, a focusing tube, <br />and a reflecting mirror. The device was mounted on a tripod and was <br />oriented parallel to the ground at each observation point. The sighting <br />device was attached to a bar that is 0.5 meters in length. Observations <br />were made by recording what was observed at the point of intersection ~~ <br />made by the cross-hairs. Two observations were made at each meter along <br />the transect (one on either side of the transect tape), for a total of <br />