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Plant Species Frequency and Density Measurements <br />During the course of cover sampling, all plant species occurring within one meter of either side of the cover <br />sample transect were noted as present. Frequency for each plant species observed during sampling was <br />calculated by dividing the number of sample transects in which the species was observed by the total <br />number of samples (see cover sample distribution by area above). As such, this value is probably more <br />correctly known as constancy. <br />The total number of species within each Iifeform observed in each 100 square meter sample provides a <br />measure of "species density ", indicating the relative species richness of different areas. This measure <br />provides a means of examining progress toward the return of diverse species composition in the reclaimed <br />areas. <br />Plant Species Listing <br />Scientific names used except as noted follow Weber and Wittmann (2001); common names cited are found <br />in Beetle (1970), Nickerson et al. (1976), or Soil Conservation Service (1979). Cross - reference between <br />older names and revised names used here can be made by referring to Appendix D of this report. <br />During the course of fieldwork, a list of all plant species encountered (quantitative plus incidental <br />observations) was compiled for each potentially affected vegetation type and for the three reference areas. <br />These lists are tabulated in Appendix D, "Species Presence for All Areas." Note that all big sagebrush <br />plants encountered were referred to as Seriphidium tridentatum. Plants referred to here as Poa secunda <br />are the plants formerly known as big bluegrass (Poa ampla) a species commonly included in reclamation <br />seed mixes. The taxonomic treatment of Weber and Wittmann (1996) places Poa ampla (as well as Poa <br />sandbergii) with Poa secunda. Despite this merger, the distinctness of Poa ampla is worth noting. Mountain <br />bromegrass encountered during sampling is referred to as Ceratochloa polyantha in recognition of its <br />perennial habit compared to the Ceratochloa carinatus taxon included in Weber and Wittmann (2001) as <br />the appropriate name for Colorado plants. The latter taxon (C. carinatus) is an annual. Festuca ovina <br />(sheep fescue) was included in the reclaimed area seed mixes generally. The degree to which sheep <br />fescue differs morphologically from the native Festuca saximontana (Rocky Mountain fescue) is very <br />minimal. Here those occurring in the reclaimed area have been called F. ovina and those in the reference <br />areas F. saximontana. <br />4 <br />