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2.0 METHODS <br />2.1 Examination of Existing Information <br />Existing information on plant species of speClal concern was examined via a search of the <br />database operated by the Colorado Natural Heritage Inventory (CONHI, Colorado Department of <br />Natural Resources). The database was searched for occurences of rare, threatened, or <br />exemplary plants or plant communities in the Dowe Flats vicinity. The CONHI database <br />acknowledges both species of state and federal concern. <br />2.2 Plant Specieslnventory <br />Field inventory of the flora of the Dowe Fleis limestone ridge took place on May 21, July 28 and <br />September 16, 1987. On each of these occeslons, the length of the ridge was traversed and the <br />species present noted. The nomenclature used follows Weber end Johnston (1979). <br />2.3 Vegetation Mapping <br />Mapping of thg lower elevations of the study area (primarily agricultural landuse) was <br />crompleted in the early Spring of 1987. Th1s mepping was conducted on the ground in lieu of <br />current aerial photographic information. Mapping units in the agricultural areas represent <br />• conditions es of early 1987, end not necessarily those of previous or subsequent years. <br />vegetation mapping was extended to the crest of Rabbit Mountain to the east, Indian Mountein.io <br />the west, and to Dowe Pass on the north using U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) false color <br />infrared aerial photography along with ground truth visits. The BLM photography (HAP 83F <br />series, 10-5-83) was flown et very high altitude; Ponderosa pine end mountain mehogarry were <br />well distinguished for the moss pert. However, skunkbush, chokecherry, and American plum <br />were poorly differeniieted from the grassy matrix in the aerial photos, possibly because, by the <br />October date, their typically relatively lush foliage was senescent or gone. This type was added <br />m best possible during ground truth work. The 1:4800 (1 inch equals 400 feet) scale <br />topographic base map was a very great enlargement from the original; damage to the quality of <br />the map rendered locetion and extent of vegetation features somewhat inexact. <br />r. <br />