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b) How does discharge affect riparian vegetation encroachment? <br />(1) What flow regime maximizes numbers and area of bare substrate? <br />(2) Can EA releases contribute effectively to maintenance of bare <br />substrate? <br />(3) Do measurements of discharge, sediment, vegetation and channel <br />morphology support the sediment/vegetation model? <br />C) How do land management practices affect sustainability of riverine least <br />tern habitat? <br />(1) What are the short- and long -term effects of channel widening on <br />channel morphology (on site and downstream)? <br />(2) What are the short- and long -term effects of mechanical island <br />leveling on channel morphology (on site and downstream)? <br />(3) How does tree/brush removal affect short and long -term quantity <br />and distribution least tern nesting habitat? <br />3) External factors permitting, is the habitat in the central Platte River capable of <br />supporting a self - sustaining and self - maintaining population of least terns in the <br />wild? <br />B: Program Effects on Interior ]Least Terns (Species Response) <br />1) Do program changes in land and river flow management affect the number and <br />distribution of breeding birds? <br />2) Do program changes in land and river flow management affect the reproductive <br />rate of breeding birds? <br />III. Piping Plover <br />A. Program Effects on Piping Plover Habitat <br />1) How does the Program affect the amount, quality (suitability) and distribution of <br />riverine piping plover nesting habitat in the central Platte? <br />a) How do changes in land and river flow management affect the amount, <br />quality and distribution of wide, unobstructed channels? <br />b) How do changes in land and river flow management affect the amount, <br />availability and distribution of riverine sand bars for nesting and <br />invertebrate foraging? <br />2) What affect do Program changes in river flow management have on the <br />sustainability of riverine nesting habitat? <br />a) Is the river morphology and sandbar macroform nesting habitat sustainable <br />based on the available sediment supply? <br />7 <br />