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<br />973 <br />974 <br />975 <br />976 <br />977 <br />978 <br />979 <br />980 <br />981 <br />982 <br />983 <br />984 <br />985 <br />986 <br />987 <br />988 <br />989 <br />990 <br />991 <br />992 <br />993 <br />994 <br />995 <br />996 <br />997 <br />998 <br />999 <br />1000 <br />1001 <br /> <br />44 <br /> <br />the ecosystem, and the development of a shared view among scientists and managers of what <br />is being managed and what it is being managed for. <br />The development of a conceptual model of the Colorado River ecosystem is <br />important because it provides a general framework for understanding how the system works, <br />requires organization of many scattered pieces of information, will help to identify areas of <br />uncertainty, and impose a rigorous framework on our thinking. The conceptual model and <br />long-term monitoring program are being designed in recognition of the spatial and temporal <br />characteristics of the Colorado River ecosystem in Glen and Grand Canyons. Given the <br />range of spatial and temporal scales at which Colorado River resources function, this may <br />mean that monitoring activities may actually occur only within representative areas of the <br />larger area. The selection of such representative areas wilI depend upon the process or <br />parameter to be monitored, and the sensitivity or fragility of the resource or habitat. <br />Similarly, the conceptual model and associated long-term monitoring programs need <br />to be designed to provide information, over the long-run, on the responses of the Colorado <br />River ecosystem to the long-term operations of Glen Canyon Dam. This will probably <br />require the long-term monitoring program to continue through the life of the dam. The <br />intensity of the long-term monitoring program can be expected to change over time, in <br />response to the results of periodic program reviews. <br />To reiterate, long-term monitoring should be designed to provide regular feedback for <br />adaptive management. This, in turn can provide the opportunity for mid-course adjustments <br />in Glen Canyon dam operations to ensure the goals of the ROD and the AMWG management <br />objectives are achieved. <br /> <br />:1 <br />, <br />, <br />, <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />, <br />" <br />,. <br /> <br />, <br /> <br />',' <br />" <br /> <br />.- <br />;-~ <br />~ <br />~~ <br />". <br /> <br />2. Synthesis oCKnowledge <br />A second element of the GCMRC approach to the development ofa long-term <br />monitoring program is the synthesis and assessment of existing scientific information. The <br />primary intent of the synthesis activities is to form a basis for guiding more effective <br />monitoring, and prescribing appropriate research questions to specify more explicit <br />relationships among attributes that are effectors both within and among resources. This <br /> <br />November S, 1998 <br />SecoDd Draft - Do Not Cite, Photocopy, or Distribute <br />