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distinguished from the numerous other "models" associated with the Platte River, including computer models, statistical models, biological models, physical models, etc., which may be used as tools in evaluations under this plan and/or means to develop management predictions. These models will be tested and likely revised using information developed under this Plan. Brief descriptions of these other models are found in Appendix B. Hypotheses are outgrowths of the CEMs and are more specific and quantifiable conjectures about how the Platte River system functions and how the system may respond to Program management actions. A hypothesis may be tested by making predictions based on the hypothesis, designing a study, conducting the study and comparing the predictions against the resulting data and conclusions. III.A. Conceptual Ecological Models CEMs provide a visual framework or graphical representation for the current or hypothesized understanding of the central and lower Platte River associated habitats relative to target species, including the underlying hypotheses on how the driving forces, relationships, and processes impact the valued ecosystem components. CEMs are also used to identify competing hypotheses and research questions to be addressed by management, monitoring and research. During the First Increment, CEMs will be reviewed and evaluated, as infortnation becomes available, and new questions, models and hypotheses will be formulated that may be used to modify management actions and monitoring and research. By the very nature of adaptive management, CEMs will be reviewed on a regular basis and modified as warranted based upon findings within the adaptive management implementation. The Governance Committee will have final approval of the AMP, and thus the CEMs, prior to Program implementation. III.B. Hypotheses For the Program, hypotheses deal with system processes (e.g., the role of sediment in channel morphology), system ecology (e.g., the way target species use the central Platte), and the response of target species and their habitat to Program management. CEMs were used by the AM Working Group to develop hypotheses and to identify areas of uncertainty and disagreement (i.e., competing hypotheses). The competing hypotheses regarding how the system "works" and what functions or effects various management practices are proposed to achieve are illustrated in the CEMs or they are easily derived from the CEMs as the alternate to the stated hypothesis. During the July 1997 Cooperative Agreement, summary hypotheses were developed by the AM Working Group and are included in the tables below. Besides these hypotheses, the AM Working Group, Governance Committee, and other individuals have identified many other hypotheses that have not been prioritized or completely drafted and reviewed. This larger list of hypotheses is contained in Appendix C. III.C. Conceptual Ecological Models and Broad Hypotheses The AM Working Group created an overall conceptual model of the Platte River system (Figure 4). In developing the current system CEM, broad hypotheses were also developed and are included in the following table. S stem H otheses September 1, 2006 Adaptive Management Plan 14