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• - Native Perennial Grasses Native Subshrubs <br />- Introduced Perennial Graminoids - Native Trees <br />- Native Shrubs - Succulents <br />- Lichens Bryophytes (mosses) <br />- Fungi - Algae <br />Cover sampling methods set forth above will be used in each BRB and each reference area during the <br />2005 and 2006 scheduled sampling event. <br />PRODUCTION SAMPLING <br />Production samples will be taken at initially selected sample points as shown in the table above. This is the minimum <br />number of samples for use in a "reverse null hypothesis" test (CDMG 2003, proposed rules changes, 4.15.11(2)(c)). <br />If the production values from the reclaimed areas arr greater than the reference area means, the hypothesis of reclamation <br />adequacy for production will be tested using the "reverse null hypothesis" (see Hypothesis Testin& below). <br />Biomass production will be assessed within one (1.0) square meter plots located at the randomly <br />placed sample points. Sampling will occur between July 15 and August 31, 2005, and in the same <br />period in 2006. Cattle grazing on BRB and reference area sites will be deferred until after the clip <br />sampling is complete. At each sample plot, a circular plot (hoop) enclosing one (1.0) square meter <br />will be placed on the ground and anchored. Herbaceous plant species present will be clipped as <br />closely to the ground as possible and placed separately into labeled paper bags. Clipped plants will be <br />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 />• Trees, full shrubs, subshrubs, cacti, lichens, mosses, algae, and agavoid subshrubs (Yucca spp.) will <br />not be clipped. Clipped materials will be oven -dried at 105 C and weighed to the nearest 0.1 gm. <br />COMPILATION OF A PLANT SPECIES LIST <br />Cumulative plant species lists for each of the BRB areas and the reference areas will be separately <br />compiled from observations during 2005 and 2006 sampling work. <br />SPECIES DIVERSITY (DENSITY) <br />Species presence will be noted within the area one meter to either side of the transect (50 m x 2 m = <br />100 m'-). These presence data along with point - intercept data will be used to produce values for <br />species density expressed on a per 100 m'- basis. <br />ASSESSMENT OF RECLAMATION ADEQUACY <br />General <br />Formal (statistical) hypothesis testing (see below) will be undertaken for BRB -3, BRB -4 and BRB -5 <br />(post -law, Permanent Program lands). For pre -law lands mined prior to August 3, 1977 (BRB -1), <br />qualitative information and quantitative data collected from sampling will be used in a discussion of <br />the completion of reclamation with "all reasonable diligence." For lands mined and reclaimed <br />ESCO Associates 13 -13 -5 TR40 * 01/ 07 <br />