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Models will be used for both monitoring and research projects. Statistically based models will use monitoring data to estimate trends in the indicators of biological response and predict future direction of trends. Other statistical models may be used in the data analysis to estimate effect sizes and correlations. Research data will also be used in the development of process models (e.g., models describing the process of sediment transport, island building, vegetation encroachment, etc), and calibration and verification of these models will use both research and monitoring data. It is important that linkages are established between the different models, research studies and monitoring components. The linkage between monitoring and research is to some extent established by the basic study design. For example, Figure 13 illustrates the Cottonwood Ranch research related to management of a portion of the channel conducted by NPPD. The figure illustrates the anchor points used to locate monitoring activities and how they were incorporated into the research protocol. This kind of co-location of monitoring and research data collection will be a primary means of linking monitoring and research activities on all Program lands. A more theoretical linkage between different activities related to monitoring, research and model building will be illustrated through the development of a`Looking Outward Matrix' (template provided in Figure 14). A Looking Outward Matrix shows the information to be passed from one modeUsub model/monitoring/research activity to another (i.e. specific variables, units, spatial and temporal scales. This is a useful tool for improving the integration of both modeling and monitoring activities. The Looking Outward Matrix will be developed during the First Increment. Monitoring and research conducted under the IMRP will be integrated such that they will collect similar data where possible (e.g., "channel width" for monitoring projects will be measures the same as "channel width" for research projects). The spatial scale for monitoring will generally be broader with effort spread throughout the study area as opposed to research in specific areas such as Program lands, although, monitoring intensity can be increased on any area of interest. Conducting both monitoring and research will hasten management improvement opportunities. Conducting only monitoring would result in a long time period requirement to collect enough data to justify modification of management actions. Only conducting research could result in not knowing whether actions are having system-wide improvements on variables that have a long response time. Therefore, it is essential to conduct both monitoring and research efforts. V.C. Discussion of Scale Issues Related to Monitoring and Research The general study area for monitoring and research for the three bird species consists of an area 3.5-miles either side of the Platte River centerline beginning at the junction of U.S. Highway 283 and Interstate 80 near Lexington, Nebraska, and extending eastward to Chapman, Nebraska. When side channels of the Platte River extend beyond the 3.5-mile area, a 2-mile area is included around these channels. For pallid sturgeon, the study area consists of the lower Platte River between its confluence with the Elkhorn River and its confluence with the Missouri River. This geographic limitation was established for primary data collection by the Governance Committee and is thought to include the area most likely used by the three bird target species when they are also using the Platte River. The selection of the lower Platte River for the pallid sturgeon is September 1, 2006 Adaptive Management Plan 30