A.5 5. Line-Point Intercept Cover Studies/Line Intercept Cover Studies
Line-point intercept is a rapid, accurate method for quantifying soil cover, including vegetation, litter, rocks and biotic
crusts. These measurements are related to wind and water erosion, water infiltration and the ability of the site to resist
and recover from degradation (Herrick et al 2005). The results are then compared to the appropriate cover for each ecological
site as indicated by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Rangeland Ecological Site Descriptions. Using the Line-Point
Intercept method, one is able to collect total ground cover (canopy and understory). This is useful in determining what type
of ground cover is available to disrupt precipitation energy and also ground flow, whether it be wind or water. In addition,
because this method collects canopy and understory cover total cover may be greater than 100 percent. Results are also compared
to general known healthy rangelands.
Line-Point Intercept cover studies have been conducted at the three key areas, and five study points within sagebrush plant
communities on the South Butte Allotment in 2009/2010. Tables 5-1 and 5-2 summarize the cover data collected at key areas
and random points on native rangeland.
The Line Intercept Cover Study is a commonly used method of estimating the relative percent live foliar cover of a range site
by plant class (tree, shrub, grass, forb, or annual). The method also estimates the percent live foliar cover by plant species.
The results are then compared to the appropriate cover for each range site as indicated by the Natural Resources Conservation
Service (NRCS) range site guides. Results are also compared to what is known about healthy rangelands in general.
Line intercept cover studies have been conducted at the four key areas on the South Butte Allotment. Tables
5-5 and
5-6 demonstrates data collect at these four key areas and the range site potential for each site. Line intercept cover studies
have not been done for South Butte Seeding Allotment.
South Butte Allotment Line-Point Intercept Ground Cover 2009/2010
| Key Area/Study Site |
Ecological Site |
Bare Ground |
Ground Cover |
ESD Veg. Cover |
| Rock |
Bio. Crust |
Herb. Litter |
Woody Litter |
Veg. |
| 2009 |
|
| SB-1
|
028BY013NV |
57% |
2% |
1% |
11% |
0% |
32% |
10–20% |
| SB-2
|
028BY010NV |
56% |
1% |
0% |
7% |
0% |
38% |
10–20% |
| SB-3
|
028BY010NV |
43% |
0% |
0% |
16% |
3% |
45% |
10–20% |
| 2010 |
|
| *SG-SB-1
|
028BY010NV |
50% |
0% |
0% |
29% |
8% |
34% |
10–20% |
| *SG-SB-2
|
028BY010NV |
30% |
3% |
14% |
32% |
6% |
51% |
10–20% |
| *SG-SB-3
|
028BY010NV |
16% |
8% |
0% |
25% |
11% |
57% |
10–20% |
| *SG-SB-4
|
028BY086NV |
26% |
19% |
0% |
23% |
17% |
60% |
20–40% |
| *SG-SB-5
|
028BY010NV |
43% |
1% |
0% |
27% |
10% |
53% |
10–20% |
| *Random study points
|
South Butte Allotment Vegetative Cover by species (including understory)
| Key Area |
Vegetative Species |
% Cover |
|
Study Site |
Vegetative Species |
% Cover |
| SB-1
|
Winterfat |
30% |
SG-SB-1
|
Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
23% |
| Sandburg's Bluegrass |
1% |
Douglas' Rabbitbrush |
3% |
| SB-2
|
Gray Rabbitbrush |
12% |
Bottlebrush Squirreltail |
16% |
| Douglas' Rabbitbrush |
2% |
SG-SB-2
|
Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
46% |
| Needle and Thread |
16% |
Winterfat |
1% |
| Indian Ricegrass |
3% |
Indian Ricegrass |
2% |
| Thurber's Needlegrass |
1% |
Bottlebrush Squirreltail |
2% |
| Cheatgrass |
2% |
Hood Phlox |
3% |
| SB-3
|
Douglas' Rabbitbrush |
6% |
SG-SB-3
|
Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
53% |
| Needle and Thread |
25% |
Rockcress |
2% |
| Bottlebrush Squirreltail |
4% |
Ground Smoke |
1% |
| Thurber's Needlegrass |
1% |
SG-SB-4
|
Wyoming big sagebrush |
35% |
| Cheatgrass |
6% |
Douglas’ rabbitbrush |
10% |
| Skeletonweed |
2% |
Squirreltail |
3% |
| Goldenbush |
1% |
Sandburg's Bluegass |
2% |
| |
Indian Ricegrass |
4% |
| Cheatgrass |
2% |
| Long-leaf Phlox |
1% |
| Ground Smoke |
3% |
| Cryptanthia |
1% |
| SG-SB-5
|
Wyoming big sagebrush |
15% |
| Douglas’ rabbitbrush |
11% |
| Bottlebrush Squirreltail |
3% |
| Needle and Thread |
17% |
| Cheatgrass |
15% |
| Sandburg's Bluegass |
1% |
| Western Wheatgrass |
2% |
| Phlox |
4% |
South Butte Seeding Line-Point Intercept Ground Cover 2009
| Key Area |
Ecological Site |
Bare Ground |
Ground Cover |
ESD Veg. Cover |
| Rock |
Bio. Crust |
Herb. Litter |
Woody Litter |
Veg. |
| 2009 |
|
| SBS-2
|
028BY010NV |
69% |
5% |
0% |
5% |
2% |
19% |
10-20% |
| 2010 |
|
| SG-SBS-1
|
028BY010NV |
64% |
0% |
0% |
23% |
2% |
32% |
10-20% |
South Butte Seeding Allotment Vegetative Cover by species (including understory)
| Key Area/Study Site |
Vegetative Species |
% Cover |
| 2009 |
|
| SBS-2
|
Crested Wheatgrass |
19% |
| 2010 |
|
| SG-SBS-1
|
Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
14% |
| Douglas' rabbitbrush |
8% |
| Crested Wheatgrass |
16% |
South Butte Allotment Line Intercept Ground Cover 2007/2003
| Key Area |
Ecological Site |
Bare Ground |
Ground Cover |
| Rock |
Bio. Crust |
Litter |
Veg. |
ESD Veg. Cover |
| 2007 |
|
| SB-2
|
028BY010NV |
74% |
0% |
0% |
9% |
17% |
10-20% |
| 2003 |
|
| SB-1
|
028BY013NV |
89% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
11% |
10–20% |
| SB-2
|
028BY010NV |
92% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
8% |
10–20% |
| SB-3
|
028BY010NV |
90% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
10% |
10–20% |
| SB-4
|
028BY075NV |
93% |
0% |
0% |
0% |
7% |
15–25% |
South Butte Allotment Vegetative Cover by species (including understory) 2003/2007
| Key Area |
Vegetative Species |
% Cover |
| 2003 |
|
| SB-1
|
Winterfat |
11% |
| SB-2
|
Needle and Thread |
6% |
| Bottlebrush Squirreltail |
0.5% |
| Sandberg's Bluegrass |
0.3% |
| Unknow Forb |
1% |
| SB-3
|
Douglas' Rabbitbrush |
5% |
| Needle and Thread |
5% |
| Sandberg's Bluegrass |
0.5% |
| SB-4
|
Shadscale |
5% |
| Bottlebrush Squirreltail |
2% |
| 2007 |
|
| SB-2
|
Gray Rabbitbrush |
32% |
| Wyoming Big Sagebrush |
16% |
| Needle and Thread |
14% |
| Cheatgrass |
3% |