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and in a repeatable fashion (i.e., 2 people taking the measurement should get the same value). <br />Monitoring data for documenting trends will be most useful after many years of consistent data <br />collection. At a minimum, the monitoring portion of the plan must continue for the entire First <br />Increment. The value of continuous monitoring data will only be realized if the IMRP has <br />sustained political and financial support. <br />Research under the IMRP is designed to establish statistically based cause and effect <br />relationships among variables and management actions, including measures of precision for <br />parameter estimates. Research will generally be short term with most studies lasting on the order <br />of 3 to 5 years. Research projects typically use the latest technology and methods and have <br />specific study objectives. Examples of these objectives include the tests of hypotheses, tests of <br />habitat suitability models, and modeling of physical processes. Research objectives will <br />typically be designed to resolve issues related to the potential impact of Program management <br />activities on the indicators of biological response, assist in the understanding of the biology of <br />the target species, fill knowledge gaps required to induce measurable improvements to the <br />recovery of the target species and their habitats, assist in the validation and improvement of <br />management methods, and/or allow the testing and improvement of existing species habitat <br />models. <br />Both monitoring and research projects will involve the use of models. Statistically based models <br />will use monitoring data to estimate trends in the indicators of biological response and predict <br />future direction of trends. Other statistical models may be used in the data analysis to estimate <br />effect sizes and correlations. Research data will be used primarily in the development of process <br />models (e.g., models describing the process of sediment transport, island building, vegetation <br />encroachment, etc), whereas, calibration and verification of these models will use both research <br />and monitoring data. <br />Monitoring and research conducted under the IMRP will be integrated such that they will collect <br />similar data where possible. The spatial scale for monitoring will generally be broader with <br />effort spread throughout the study area as opposed to research in specific areas such as Program <br />lands, although, monitoring intensity can be increased on any area of interest. Monitoring and <br />research will, when possible, use the same field methods for collecting data for the same <br />parameters. <br />II.D. Timing and Schedule <br />System level monitoring should begin as soon as a Program is implemented and continue with <br />the same protocols through the First Increment. In doing so, it will be possible to view the <br />system as various flows occur, both natural and EA induced, and as new Program lands are <br />protected and managed. Program lands level monitoring should begin as each parcel of land is <br />protected. This will allow each parcel to be evaluated as a unit through implementation of <br />various restoration and management activities. <br />Research protocols will be implemented as topics arise and lands become available. Several <br />specific research areas are currently identified and timelines established. These include research <br />3 <br />