2010-03-12_REPORT - C1981019 (8)

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length of a transect, the orientation of the transect was turned 900 in the appropriate direction so the transect could be completed. In this manner, boundary transects were retained entirely within the target unit by "bouncing" off the boundaries. Production quadrats were always oriented 900 to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect and placed one meter from the starting point so as to avoid any trampled vegetation. 2.0 Determination of Ground Cover Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point-intercept methodology as illustrated on Figure 1 (below). As indicated on this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes state-of-the-art instrumentation it has pioneered to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A transect of 10 meters length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location from the flagged center of each systematically located sample point. At each one-meter interval along the transect, a "laser point bar" was situated parallel to, and approximately 4.5 to 5.0 feet vertically above the ground surface. A set of 10 readings was recorded as to hits on vegetation (by species), litter, rock (>2mm), or bare soil. Hits were determined at each meter interval by activating a battery of 10 low-energy specialized lasers" situated along the bar at 10 centimeter intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the narrowly focused (0.02) beams (see Figure 1). In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transect were recorded resulting in 1 percent cover per intercept. This methodology and instrumentation facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data possible. Identification and nomenclature of plant species follows Weber and Wittman (1996) Colorado Flora: Western Slone. 3.0 Determination of Current Annual Production At five sample sites in each of the seven year-old or older units, current annual production was collected from a 1/2 m2 quadrat frame placed one meter and 900 to the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect to facilitate avoidance of vegetation trampled by investigators during sample site location (see Figure 1). From within each quadrat, all above ground current annual vegetation within the vertical boundaries of the frame were clipped and bagged separately by life form as follows: Perennial Grass Annual Grass Sub shrubs Perennial Forb Annual Forb Noxious Weeds (if found) rt Lasers utilized for this instrument are state-of-the-art and of specialized design to emit a unique electro-magnetic wavelength visible under full sunlight, a condition previously not possible with portable low-energy lasers. AA-2