We have identified a limited set of targeted consumer groups based on current and projected ecological concerns (bats, fish, birds, and amphibians), and have identified the primary pathways (Figure 1) of nutrient flow for each of these consumer groups. Target species within the four broad consumer groups will be selected based on ecological importance, hypothesized sensitivity to plant community composition, and logistical constraints. The primary studies for each target consumer species will be conducted in the same set of stream reaches to capitalize on the efficiency of sampling for many common data needs and to enhance integration among findings. Study reaches will be selected to fill a sampling matrix that considers vegetation composition and stream size. All reaches will be first, second, or third order as defined by USGS 7.5' topographic maps.

Sampling will characterize both pool size (boxes, Figure 1) and flow rates (arrows). Most pools and processes have a spatial dimension that will need to be characterized and included in the analysis. For vegetation, this means an analysis of the source distance of litter. In the stream, this means inclusion of both benthic and drift arthropods. Litter retention in study reaches will be sampled.