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• were determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low-energy specialized lasers** <br />situated along the bar at 10-centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the <br />vertically-projected, narrow (0.02' focused beams (see Figure A-1). In this manner, a total of 100 <br />intercepts per transect were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. This methodology and <br />instrumentation facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data <br />possible. Plant identification and nomenclature follows Weber and Wittman, 1996 and USDA Forest <br />Service, 1977. <br />Determination of Current Annual Herbaceous Production <br />At each sample site, current annual herbaceous production was collected from a 1/z mZ quadrat <br />frame placed one meter and 90° to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect to facilitate <br />avoidance of vegetation trampled by investigators during sample site location (see Figure A-1). From <br />within each quadrat, all above ground current annual vegetation, with the exception of woody species, <br />within the vertical boundaries of the frame was clipped and bagged separately by life form as follows: <br />Perennial Grass Perennial Forb Noxious Weed <br />Annual Grass Annual /Biennial Forb Sub-shrub <br />All production samples were returned to the lab for drying and weighing. Drying occurred at 105° C <br />until a stable weight was achieved (24 hours). Samples were then re-weighed to the nearest 0.1 gram. <br />Wet weights determined in the field were used to facilitate the collection of an adequate sample where <br />necessary. <br />Determination of Woody Plant Density <br />Only in the old and new Juniper Woodland Reference Areas, a co-located 4-meter wide by 25 meter <br />long belt transect was established at each sampling location in the direction of the next sampling point <br />(typically along a cardinal compass direction -see Figure A-1). Transects were bent ('~L"-shaped) at a <br />90° angle to avoid overlapping the next transect on the grid because a 25-meter transect converts to 82 <br />feet in length and the grid dimensions were 50 feet. Then within each belt, all shrubs and trees were <br />" Lasers utilized for this instrument are state-of-the-art and of specialized design to emit a unique electro-magnetic <br />wavelength visible under full sunlight, a condition previously not possible with portable low-energy lasers. <br />c~~~ ¢~~us ~~~®~cn,~a~~ iNC. Page A-4 Exhibit 5 - Appendix A -Vegetation Methods <br />