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many experimental units will be created from clearing and leveling management actions <br />(treatments 1 and 4), there may not be 5 replicates for each of the treatments. We may <br />also have difficulty finding sufficient control sites (treatment 4). <br />Randomization <br />A systematic selection of experimental units available for study along the river will act as <br />a random sample for the river experimental units. One of the two river treatments (2 and <br />3) will be randomly assigned to each of the river locations. Since we can not determine <br />where experimental units (i.e., islands) will be created from clearing and leveling <br />management actions, we will randomly select experimental units from the islands that are <br />created (treatments 1 and 4). Sandpit experimental units will be selected through a <br />systematic sampling process with a random start from the population of sandpits in the <br />area of interest. <br />Reproductive Response Parameters / Performance Measures <br />There will be three reproductive response parameters estimated for each species for each <br />experimental unit and each year: <br />1. Number of pairs <br />2. Number of nests <br />3. Number of fledglings <br />These parameters will be measured as a part of the Program protocol "Monitoring <br />reproductive success and reproductive habitat parameters of least terns and piping plovers <br />in the central Platte River". <br />Landscape Features Response Parameters / Performance Measures <br />Since it may take time far new nesting areas to be colonized (i.e. T/E species with low <br />populations), relying solely on reproductive response parameters may not be possible in <br />the short-term. Information will be gathered on the physical parameters associated with <br />the different management treatments, including: <br />1. Amount of bare sand <br />2. Amount and rates of re-vegetation <br />3. Elevation above bed (for river sites) <br />These parameters will be measured as part of a project specific geomorphology research <br />protocol. <br />Data Analvsis <br />The simplest analyses for balanced experimental designs involve treatment models for <br />comparisons of treatment means. Treatment comparisons will provide in-depth analyses <br />of research hypothesis pertaining to the relative merit of management procedures on the <br />response. Planned comparisons (among treatment means) for testing specific research <br />questions will estimate linear contrasts such as: <br />¦ river sites created and maintained by flow from clear, level, and pulse versus river <br />sites created mechanically (in place) and maintained by flow,