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2.0 METHODS <br /> 2.1 VEGETATION MAPPING <br /> A plant ecologist conducted a reconnaissance of the entire permit area <br /> and selected mapping units based upon vegetation structure and species <br /> dominance. In several places two overlapping vegetation types are mapped <br /> because of, the small scale and mosaic pattern of interaction between the <br /> communities. Rock outcrop and disturbed sites were also delineated. The <br /> vegetation boundaries were delineated upon a USGS contour base map at a <br /> scale of 1" = 400' and verified through field excursions. See Figure 1, <br /> Vegetation Map. <br /> The area of each vegetation type within the permit and affected area <br /> was determined by plane etering a blue line copy of the vegetation map. <br /> 2.2 AFFECTED AREA SAMPLING DESIGN <br /> Cover, production, and shrub density sampling was confined to <br /> the area of proposed disturbance. All sample sites were located by <br /> a random process. A grid system was constructed over a vegetation <br /> map on which the sample area was delineated. Coordinates (x,y) were <br /> taken from a random number table and used to locate a set number of <br /> sample points within the sample unit. Thus, the required number of <br /> sample points was generated. Cover and density sample sites were <br /> conducted at the same point . Production sample sites were indepen— <br /> dently located. All sample sites are recorded on the vegetation map. <br /> Each sample point vas located in the field through the aid of a <br /> compass, USGS map, and acing where necessary. Range cages were not <br /> used in this study as t ere were no domestic grazing herbivores present <br /> during the 1981 growing season. <br /> Only the vegetatioi type to be disturbed by mining activity was <br /> quantitatively describe . Other vegetation types occurring on the <br /> permit area but outside the area of disturbance are qualitatively <br /> described from field ob ervations. <br /> No reference areal required by CMLR as the premining inventory <br /> data will provide the lamation standard. <br /> 2.3 MEASUREMENTS <br /> 2.3.1 Collection and Analysis of Cover Data <br /> Cover was a timated using a point—intercept method along <br /> randomly located and oriented transects (Mueller—Dombois and Ellen— <br /> berg 1974) . Fifty points were sampled along the 50—meter length <br /> transects. One point was sampled at each meter interval along the <br /> transect . <br /> The sighting devic was mounted on an adjustable tripod to facili— <br /> tate vertical orientate n and point stabilization. Fine cross hairs <br /> were used in the sighti g device to provide optimum point definition. <br />