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<br />• <br />• <br />VEGETATION SAMPLING - 2005 AND 2006 <br />METHODS <br />Vegetative sampling was conducted on June 20 through June 23, 2005, and July 11 through July 16, <br />2006. Two reclaimed area units (Irrigated Pasture and Rangeland) and two corresponding reference areas <br />(AVF and Rangeland) were sampled separately. Sampling was conducted for vegetative cover and <br />herbaceous production on each area, with species diversity evaluated on the Rangeland sampling units. <br />Transect locations for the each sampling event are displayed on Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4. <br />Vegetative cover on each reference area was sampled utilizing 25-meter point-transects oriented <br />perpendicular to a baseline tape placed parallel to the length-wise edge of the fenced boundary. In 2005, <br />the baseline tape was located along the eastern side of each reference area. In 2006, the baseline tape <br />paralleled the western side of each reference area and was anchored at a distance from the boundary fence <br />that placed the vegetation cover transects in the center of each area. Transect locations conducted in 2005 <br />and 2006 on each reference area are displayed on Figures 1 and 3, respectively. <br />Vegetative cover on each reclaimed area was sampled using randomly located and oriented 25-meter <br />point-intercept transects (see Figures 2 and 4). Transect locations or orientations that resulted in overlap <br />of previous transects or the sampling area boundary were randomly redirected prior to the point of <br />overlap. Sample locations and orientation were determined by overlaying a grid over a map of the <br />sampling units, generating a random number table for X and Y values and orientation, and plotting them <br />onto the map. The distance and bearing from known reference points, such as trees, fence comers, or road <br />intersections, were then measured on the map and paced off while following a compass. At each transect <br />location, a 25-meter tape was oriented toward the randomly determined direction. <br />For each transect, two sampling points, 1 meter apart, on both sides of the transect tape were sampled at <br />1-meter intervals, resulting in 50 sample points per transect. Each corresponding sample point was <br />determined by projection of the ocular sight (Cover-Point Optical Point Projection Device, Model 2) <br />vertically downward and physically recording all manner of "first hits". The "first hits" were recorded as <br />rock, bare ground, litter, or live vegetation. Live vegetation was finther classified to genus and species. <br />The live vegetative "first hits" were used to calculate total vegetative cover for each transect according to <br />Equation 1. <br />(1) <br />% Total Vegetative Cover = <br />Number of Hits on Vegetation <br />x 100 <br />Total Number of Points <br />Mean vegetative cover for each area was the mean value for all transects in that area. <br />The diversity of plant species in the Rangeland Reclaimed Areas was evaluated using data acquired from <br />the point-intercept transects. Transect data was used to determine the relative cover of each species <br />detected (Equation 2). <br />2215 Gold=Eagle PH3BOND 2006 3-10-08.doc A-1