Laserfiche WebLink
Sampling points for cover and herbaceous production will be located by using a random number <br />generating procedure to create up to 50 random coordinate pairs within each study area <br />(reclaimed sites and the reference area). A geographic positioning system (GPS) unit will be used <br />to navigate to the sample points, in the order that the points were randomly generated. A stake <br />or quadrat frame will be thrown over the shoulder to determine the exact sample location. Cover <br />transects will be oriented along a random compass bearing from the point of origin. If production <br />sampling is done at the same time as cover sampling, quadrats will be placed at the transect origin <br />on the left side of the transect. Cover will be calculated as percent total cover for each transect, <br />and the mean calculated for the study area. Production will be calculated by dividing dry weight <br />by the quadrat frame area in acres, and the mean dry weight pr acre calculated. <br />For a quality standard on Dryland Pasture, the following is proposed: <br />At least 75% of the relative production will be comprised of seeded species or species of <br />comparable quality as livestock forage. County listed noxious weed species will not be counted <br />towards the success standard for cover or production in any reclaimed area. For the purposes <br />of this demonstration, a statistically adequate production sample will be taken, or a minimum of <br />30 observations. <br />The allowable relative cover and production contribution of annual and biennial species should not <br />exceed 10 %, or the relative cover and production of such species in the associated reference area <br />or standard, whichever is higher. Annual or biennial cover or production in excess of this threshold <br />should be deleted from the reclaimed area data prior to success comparison. An acceptable <br />alternative is to delete all annual /biennial cover and production from the reference area prior to <br />success comparison. <br />Sample adequacy will be tested during field sampling using the formula in DRMS Regulation <br />4.15.11(2)(a), as follows: <br />PR -06 June 2010 2.05.4(2)(e) - 57 <br />