2009-04-01_REPORT - C1994082 (6)

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Lifeforms Used in Data Presentation • As a tool to enhance understanding of the collected data, the contents of all data and summary tables are organized by lifeform. Lifeform categories used here reflect growth habit and provenance (place of origin). Lifeform categories used include the following: native annual and biennial (orbs, introduced annual and biennial forbs, introduced annual grasses, native perennial forbs, introduced perennial forbs, native perennial graminoids (includes grasses and grass-like plants), introduced perennial graminoids, native shrubs, native trees, bryophytes, succulents, and fungi. Plant Species Frequency and Density Measurements During the course of cover sampling, all plant species occurring within one meter of either side of the cover sample transect were noted as present within each sample. Frequency for each plant species observed during sampling of a particular area was calculated by dividing the number of sample transects in which the species was observed by the total number of samples. As such, this value is probably more correctly known as "constancy'. The total number of species (within each lifeform) observed in each 100 m2 sample provides a measure of species density, indicating the relative species richness of different areas. These measures provide a means of examining progress toward the return of diverse species • composition in the reclaimed areas. Plant Species Listing Scientific names used follow Weber and Wittmann (1996), common names cited are found in Beetle (1970), Nickerson et al. (1976), or Soil Conservation Service (1979). Cross reference to the substantially revised scientific nomenclature for the flora of Western Colorado, as set forth by Weber and Wittmann (2001), may be determined by reference to Weber and Wittmann (1992) or by reference to Appendix 2 of this report (Table 25). During the course of the fieldwork, a list of all encountered plant species (quantitative plus incidental observations) was compiled for each reclamation area and the three reference areas. These lists are summarized in Appendix 2, Table 25, Species Present - Reclaimed and Reference Areas, which includes current nomenclature and cross references to older nomenclature. It should be noted that all big sagebrush encountered were referred to as Seriphidium tridentatum, without attempt to distinguish between basin big sagebrush (Seriphidium tridentatum) and mountain big sagebrush (Seriphidium vaseyanum or S. tridentatum ssp. vaseyanum). 3