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• First hit interceptions were used to calculate absolute top layer foliar cover (see COVER column <br />in data tables) by dividing the number of interceptions for a particular species or ground cover <br />type by the total number of points taken (100). First hit relative vegetation cover was calculated <br />by dividing first hit absolute cover for each species by the total first hit vegetation cover. All-layer <br />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 <br />hits accumulated during sampling of the transect. <br />Herbaceous Production Sampling <br />Herbaceous production sampling was accomplished using one-half square meter (0.5 m2) circular <br />plots within which all herbaceous growth in a vertical projection was clipped and placed in labeled <br />paper bags. Clipped plants were grouped into the following life forms and bagged: <br />- Native Annual / Biennial Forbs - Introduced Annual / Biennial Forbs <br />- Native Annual Grasses - Introduced Annual Grasses <br />- Native Perennial Forbs - Introduced Perennial Forbs <br />• - Native Perennial Grasses & Grasslikes- Introduced Perennial Graminoids <br />Lichens, mosses, and woody plant species 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 Plant Density Sampling <br />Woody plant density sampling was undertaken in all reclaimed areas sampled but not in the <br />reference areas. Samples were collected along 50 m transects. All shrubs and subshrubs with <br />root crowns located within the boundaries of 2 X 50 m quadrats (belt transects) were tallied <br />according to species and life stage as either seedling, mature, or dead. The presence of dead <br />individuals was recorded but did not contribute to woody plant density calculations. <br />Lifeforms Used in Data Presentation <br />To enhance understanding of collected data, all data and summary tables are organized by <br />lifeform. Lifeform categories used here reflect growth habit and provenance (place of origin). <br />Categories observed in 2008 were: native annual and biennial (orbs, introduced annual and <br />biennial forbs, introduced annual grasses, native perennial (orbs, introduced perennial forbs, <br />• 2