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to their proportional acreage. Part A of Table 1 shows calculations for the cover <br />sampling while Part B summarizes the production sample quantities. <br />Total Vegetative Cover: <br />Total vegetative cover was estimated using an optical point frame developed by <br />ESCO Associates. Point sitings were located along a 25 meter transect stretched out <br />either northwest, northeast, southwest, or southeast of the sample location. The 50 <br />points per transect (one point at each half meter interval) comprised a single sample <br />unit. Cover was identified by species, or as rock, litter, or bare ground. For the <br />purposes of estimating total vegetative cover, only first hit data were used. Cover <br />transects originated from sample locations. <br />Species Diversity: <br />Multiple hit data (first, second, third...) were used in calculating relative <br />vegetative cover. Species diversity success was evaluated using relative cover values. <br />Total Herbaceous Production: <br />Production plots were located at the sample point. Production plots were 1 /4 <br />meter2 in size (1/2 meter * 1/2 meter). This size was chosen due to the predominantly <br />herbaceous nature of the reclaimed community. All current annual herbaceous <br />production rooted within each quadrat was clipped, separated according to life form, <br />and bagged. The five life forms included perennial and annual grasses, perennial and <br />annual forbs, and noxious weeds, though for the Rienau # 2 sampling, annual. fortis and <br />grasses were bagged together. Production data was not the basis of species diversity, <br />and therefore sorting by species was unnecessary. Sorting annual grasses and fortis <br />5