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absolute cover (COVER-ALL column in data tables) was calculated by dividing all hits (first-hits <br />• and additional-hits) for a particular species by the total number of points taken (100). In addition, <br />all-layer relative cover was calculated using all hits for a particular species divided by the total hits <br />accumulated during sampling of the transect. <br />Herbaceous Production Sampling <br />Herbaceous production sampling was accomplished using one-half square meter (0.5 m2) circular <br />plots within which all herbaceous growth in a vertical projection was removed by clipping and <br />placed in labeled paper bags. When alfalfa (Medicago sativa) occurred, it was placed in <br />separate, labeled bags. Lichens, mosses, and woody plant species present in the sample plot <br />were not collected. Clipped material was returned to the ESCO laboratory and dried at 105 °C for <br />24 hours, then weighed to the nearest 0.1 gm. <br />Woody Plant Density Sampling <br />Woody plant density sampling was undertaken in the reclaimed area but did not occur in the <br />reference areas. Woody plant density samples were collected along 50 m transects. All shrubs <br />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 either seedling, mature, or dead. <br />The presence of dead individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant density <br />• calculations. <br />Lifeforms Used in Data Presentation <br />As a tool to enhance understanding of the collected data, the contents of all data and summary <br />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 forbs, introduced annual grasses, native perennial <br />forbs, introduced perennial forbs, native perennial graminoids (includes grasses and grass-like <br />plants), introduced perennial graminoids, native shrubs, introduced shrubs, native trees, <br />bryophytes, succulents, and fungi. <br />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 />2 <br />