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describe the past and present composition of Missouri river <br />floodplain plant communities, discuss the change in organic <br />carbon availability, and describe how organic material was <br />introduced to the aquatic sector. ~e will briefly describe the <br />phytoplankton, zooplankton, and macroinvertebrate assemblages and <br />comment at each juncture about our limited understanding of <br />their relationship with organic carbon sources. We will look <br />toward the fish and wildlife populations to-find instances where <br />channel and floodplain modifications have resulted in impact. <br />Finally we will offer a series of recommendations which if <br />implemented could function to preserve the remaining resources in <br />the basin. We are compelled to separate the discussion into <br />biological units because key data are. missing which otherwise <br />would afford a holistic review. We hope such an exercise will <br />demonstrate the need for creative and innovative management <br />strategies that will preserve and enhance remaining natural <br />habitat in the Missouri River. <br />A Source of Carbon. <br />The Missouri was known in the past for large floods. These <br />annually scoured the floodplain and carried large silt loads <br />laden with organic materials from floodplain sources. Flooding, <br />natural meandering and erosion, and even sediment transport are <br />now controlled or prevented whenever possible. The Missouri <br />- 5 - <br />