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had not lodged or broken off. Using the above definitions and methodology, data were <br />collected and analyzed to determine absolute and relative cover. <br />The first interception of the Cover-Point Optical Point Projection Device with a living <br />plant species, was defined and recorded as a first hit. First hits were tabulated to reach <br />the 100 point total discussed above; any live species intercepted beneath the first hit <br />were recorded as additional hit(s). To calculate absolute top layer foliar cover (average <br />cover) the number of first hits for a particular species or material was divided by the total <br />number of first hits. First hit relative vegetation cover was calculated by dividing first hit <br />average cover for each species by the total first hit vegetation cover. All-layer absolute <br />cover (average cover -all) was calculated by dividing all hits (first and additional) for a <br />particular species by the total number of first hits. In addition, all-layer relative cover was <br />calculated using all hits for a particular species divided by the total vegetation hits <br />accumulated during sampling of the transect. <br />Herbaceous Production Sampling <br />Sampling of herbaceous production was undertaken in the East Pit pre-1995 Area for <br />the purpose of evaluating its prospects for bond release. Sampling was accomplished <br />using one-half square meter (0.5mZ) circular plots within which all growth of herbaceous <br />species in a vertical projection was removed by clipping, and placed in labeled paper <br />bags. Lichens and mosses present in the sample plot were not collected. Clipped <br />material was returned to the ESCO laboratory and dried at 105 °C for 24 hours, then <br />weighed to the nearest 0.1gm. Twenty randomly placed samples were taken in the <br />East Pit pre-1995 Reclamation Area and ten randomly placed samples were taken in <br />each of the Mountain Brush and Sagebrush Reference Areas. <br />Species Diversity (Density) <br />Along point-intercept transects, species presence data were collected. Each species <br />encountered within one meter of either side of the transect (50m x 2m = 100 m2) was <br />tallied. Presence and point-intercept data were used together to produce values for <br />species density expressed as the number of species per 100sq.m. This information is <br />supplemental to the cover dafa that compose the basis of the species diversity <br />• performance standard at the Colowyo Mine. <br />