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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 mZ) 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 saliva) occurred, it was placed in <br />separate, labeled bags. Lichens and mosses present in the sample plot were not collected. <br />Clipped material was returned to the ESCO laboratory and dried at 105 °C for 24 hours, then <br />weighed to the nearest 0.1 gm. <br />Woody P/anf 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 follows: Seedling, Mature, or <br />Dead. The presence of dead individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant <br />density 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 (orbs, native annual grasses, introduced annual <br />grasses, native perennial forbs, introduced perennial forbs, native perennial graminoids (includes <br />grasses and grass-like plants), introduced perennial graminoids, native shrubs, and native trees. <br />Plant Species Frequency and Density Measurements <br />During the course of cover sampling, all plant species occurring within one meter to 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 mZ sample provides a <br />measure of "species density", indicating the relative species richness of different areas. These <br />