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0 <br />XIV <br />Green River ecosystems were not adequately accounted for by <br />the River Continuum Theory. This situation is evidence of ecologi- <br />cal changes from water development. Yampa River ecosystems were <br />adequately accounted for by the Theory. Results lend support to <br />the concept that undeveloped river systems exhibit ordered patterns <br />of development in the structural and functional integrity of aquatic: <br />ecosystems. <br />Water development activities on the Yampa :River would create <br />ecosystems similar to those found below Flaming Gorge Dam. The <br />characteristics exhibited by upper Green River ecosystems would be <br />perpetuated below the Yampa River's confluence. Changes in seasonal <br />patterning of discharge, nutrients, organic energy, and suspended <br />sediment pulses would alter historic ecosystem characteristics. <br />IP <br />Where these ecosystems are changed in this manner, the organisms <br />which they historically harbored will likely no longer continue to <br />exist in their historic state. <br />0 <br />0 <br />0 <br />D <br />(143 pages) <br />ip