**Instructions for Completing Vegetation**

**Monitoring Site Data Sheet and Frequency Form**

I. **Vegetation Monitoring Site Data Sheet**

A. Site Location Information

1\. Obtain from files the target site's original form, REVEGETATION

PLANTING (Establishment Data-Herbaceous)

2\. Copy the applicable site information to the top 6 lines (14 spaces)
on the vegetation

monitoring data sheet

B. Original Seeding Activities

1\. Copy each of the seeded species from page 2 on the REVEGETATION
PLANTING,

most to least dominant in the mix

2\. Copy for each seeded species the corresponding % composition in the
mix, or if that

is unknown, hopefully pounds/acre for each species in the mix is known

C. Proceed to the field and continue below with Sections II-V

II\. **Select Key Area on the Site\--**the objective is to sample the
seeded population

A.  Observe the entire area that was seeded

1\. Look at the physical attributes (soil, slope, aspect) to select the
area that is most representative (avoid extremes if possible)

2\. Locate the key plant community that is best represented

3\. If possible, avoid highly dense monocultures or sparsely populated
areas

a\) Most sites are predominantly grass, but stay on the lookout for
other plants

B. Diagram the key area in the same manner at all locations

1\. Always face the same direction to orient the drawing (i.e., looking
north)

a\) Look upslope on areas with road-fill or road-cut

2\. Draw the key area boundaries on map or aerial photo

3\. Record important features immediately adjacent to the key area
(i.e., mile markers,

bridges, intersections, pull-outs)

4\. Photograph the key area from an existing feature, as well as from
other good

advantage points

III\. **Randomly Locate Transect (Sampling Unit) in the Key Area**

A.  Lay out tape to transect representative seeded plant community

> 1\. Secure loose end of cloth tape to the ground with a pin, measure
> out to the desired length of 76 m (250 ft.), and secure at ground
> level
>
> a\) Transect length will vary, but aim for as long as possible
>
> 2\. Make sure numbers on tape are visible and that the tape won't blow
> away.
>
> 3\. Make sure tape is in straight line and isn't twisted
>
> 4\. Permanently mark both ends of the transect with discreet, short,
> steel stakes

a\) Record the locations of both stakes from an existing feature
(usually distance is

measured and a compass bearing is taken)

5\. Photograph both transect ends from the existing feature

6\. Photograph the length of the transect from both ends

Prepared:6/01/06

B. Place steel sampling frame adjacent to the cloth tape

> 1\. Quadrat (plot) size and shape is dependent on plant community
> type, but sampling
>
> with a 1-m^2^, four-quartered, steel frame is recommended for
> well-established,
>
> moderately-dense, medium-tall, and predominantly herbaceous vegetation

a\) Smaller frames are recommended on newly established sites, with
predominately

seedling-stage vegetation

2\. Place one corner of the frame at 0, while aligning a side of the
frame up and against

the right edge of the tape

3\. Arrange steel frame so that the sampling area of the quadrat (plot)
is perpendicular to

the tape and resting on the ground

4\. Separate out all material (stems, leaves, debris) that does not have
a plant base/crown

within the frame boundary

IV\. **Begin Systematic Frequency Sampling\--**the objective is to
record seeded species' presence

in each sample area (quadrat \[plot\])

A. Frequency form

1\. Fill in the top 2 lines (4 spaces) of the form

> a\) Total number of quadrats (plots) is recorded [after]{.underline}
> frequency sampling is
>
> completed
>
> 2\. Each quadrat (plot) consists of 4 units

B. As encountered in each quadrat (plot), identify and record individual
seeded species in

left-hand column

1\. Use of scientific names is required

2\. More than one copy of the form may be necessary if \>15 species are
recorded along

the entire length of the transect

C. Record seeded species presence as a slanted line (/) or a dot (·)
when encountered in a

unit-area of the quadrat (plot)

1\. The recording process works down the left hand column as more
species are recorded

in a quadrat (plot), and to the right as quadrats (plots) are completed

2\. Record presence of seeded species within a quadrat (plot) only those
that are rooted

3\. Record presence of seeded species within a quadrat (plot) only 1
time, regardless of

the number of individual plants located in the sample area

D. When completed, move 2 m (6.6 ft.) up the length of the transect
(sample unit).

1\. Place the steel sampling frame on the opposite side of the tape as
the previous

location.

2\. Place a corner of the frame at the measure mark so that the edge
runs up the left-hand

side of the tape

3\. The sampling area of the quadrat (plot) is now perpendicular to the
tape and resting

on the ground

E. Continue frequency sampling and repeat process at each advancement
along the transect

(sample unit)

1\. Sample as many quadrats (plots) as possible

2\. It is reported that accurate frequency levels can be determined in a
10-14"

precipitation zone by sampling 12 quadrats (plots)

F. Record the total number of sampled quadrats (plots) in the remaining
blank space at the

top of the Frequency Form.

V. **Calculate Frequency for Each Seeded Species**

A. Tally the presence marks for each seeded species in each quadrat and
record the total in

the right-hand column

B. Divide the total % frequency of each seeded species by the total
number of sampled

quadrats (plots)

a\) Record the calculated number for each seeded species as % frequency
(see below in

Section VI-A-3)

VI\. **Vegetation Monitoring Site Data Sheet**

A. Evaluation of Seeded Plant Occupancy (column 1 to column 3)

1\. Transfer each seeded species name from the Frequency Form to the

left-hand column

2\. Transfer each seeded species' "% Composition in Original Seeding
Mix" from

column 2 in the above section, to the 2^nd^ column

3\. Transfer calculated % frequency from the Frequency Form for each
seeded species to

the 3^rd^ column

B. % Occupied and Seeding Status (column 4 to column 8)

1\. For each seeded species, compare column 3 (% frequency) to column 2
(% mix)

2\. Assign a status rating for each seeded species in the appropriate
column

a\) For example, if a seeded species has a 75% frequency in column 3,
and the original

mix composition in column 2 was 60%, the rating is Excellent (\>50%)

b\) If a seeded species has a 35% frequency in column 3, and the
original

mix composition in column 2 was 75%, the rating is Moderate (25-39%)

c\) If a seeded species has a 1% frequency in column 3, and the original

mix composition in column 2 was 25%, the rating is Failure (\<10%)

3\. Determine overall seeding success for the site by averaging the
status rating of the

key, dominant species used in the original seeding mix

a\) May be a single species, or a combination of several grass,
grass-like, or

forb species

C. Determine Degree of Invasive Plant Occupancy

1\. Classify what constitutes an invasive plant

a\) May include exotics, introduced, and noxious

b\) May include annuals, biennials, woodies, or other natives

2\. Observe the entire seeded area.

3\. Assign rating based on relative density of invasive plants on the
seeded site