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r <br />3 <br />Major objectives of this study were to 1) identify spatial and <br />D <br />temporal dynamics of key ecosystem parameters of the Yampa and <br />Green River study areas, 2) evaluate the influence of the Yampa River <br />on Green River ecosystems below their confluence, 3) determine the <br />usefulness of a river continuum approach to stream characterization, <br />and 4) provide an assessment of potential impacts on Yampa and Green <br />River ecosystems from proposed development activities on the Yampa <br />River. The following hypotheses applied to each river address these <br />objectives. <br />Hypothesis 1 is the observed differences in trophic state (P/R) <br />for sites and sampling periods are insignificant. <br />Hypothesis 2 is the observed differences in assimilation ratios <br />(P/C) for sites and sampling periods are insignificant. <br />Hypothesis 3 is the observed differences in suspended particulate <br />organic matter (SOM) for sites and sampling periods are insignificant. <br />Hypothesis 4 is the observed differences in chemical oxygen <br />demand (COD) for sites and sampling periods are insignificant. <br />Hypothesis 5 is the observed differences in mean percent <br />abundance of aquatic microinvertebrate functional groups for sites <br />and sampling periods are insignificant. <br />Hypothesis 6 is factors affecting gross primary production are <br />of equal importance in both river systems. <br />Research was designed to characterize discrete study areas on <br />both the Green and the Yampa Rivers from the perspective of a river <br />continuum based upon the theory proposed by Vannote (1977) which <br />develops a construct for: <br />