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2.2 Determination of Ground Cover <br />Ground cover at each sample point was determined utilizing the point- intercept methodology as <br />illustrated on Figure 1. As indicated in this figure, Cedar Creek utilizes state -of- the -art instrumentation it <br />has pioneered to facilitate much more rapid and accurate collection of data. A transect of 10 meters <br />length was extended in the direction of the next sampling location of each systematically located sample <br />point. At each one -meter interval along the cover transect, a "laser point bar" was situated parallel to, <br />and approximately 4.5 feet vertically above the ground surface. A set of 10 readings was recorded as to <br />hits on vegetation (by species), litter, rock ( >2mm), or bare soil. Hits were determined at each meter <br />interval by activating a battery of 10 low- energy specialized lasers situated along the bar at 10 centimeter <br />intervals and recording the variable intercepted by each of the vertically projected narrow (0.5mm) <br />focused beams (Figure 1). In this manner, a total of 100 intercepts per transect were recorded resulting <br />in 1 percent cover per intercept. (Second hits on understory vegetation were not collected owing to the <br />managerial nature of collected data.) All reclaimed area vegetation as well as reference area vegetation <br />(including both herbaceous and shrub strata) were subject to sampling. This methodology and <br />instrumentation facilitates the collection of the most unbiased, repeatable, and precise ground cover data <br />possible. <br />2.3 Determination of Current Annual Production <br />At 30 sample sites in each reference area and 10 sample sites in each revegetation area, current <br />annual herbaceous production was collected from a 0.5 m quadrat frame placed one meter and 90° to <br />the right (clockwise) of the ground cover transect to facilitate avoidance of vegetation trampled by <br />investigators during sample site location (Figure 1). From within each quadrat, all above ground current <br />annual vegetation within the vertical boundaries of the frame was clipped and bagged separately by life <br />form as follows: <br />Perennial Grasses Perennial Forbs <br />Annual Grasses Annual & Biennial Forbs <br />Sub - Shrubs Noxious Weeds <br />All production samples were returned to the lab for drying and weighing. Drying occurred at 105° C <br />until a stable weight was achieved (at least 24 hours). Samples were then weighed to the nearest 0.1 <br />gram. Total weights for each sample site were compiled and converted to pounds per acre prior to <br />success comparison. <br />CEDAR CREEK ASSOCIATES, Inc. <br />Page 11 Snowcap - Revegetation Evaluation - 2011 <br />Monitoring <br />