This proposal requests funds to permit Dr. Kenneth W. Cummins and Dr. Margaret A. Wilzbach, University of Maryland Center for Environmental and Estuarine Studies, to pursue with Dr. Lauren Yameogo, Head Hydrobiologist, Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) in the Volta River Basin Area (a World Health Organization project), Guinea, for a period of 12 months, a program of cooperative research on the functional analysis of invertebrate communities in streams and rivers of the West African OCP area. These scientists will develop sensitive techniques which will allow for continuing evaluation of the environmental status of the running waters of the area. Their functional analysis of invertebrates will be used as an indication of ecological conditions of streams and rivers, especially those in areas not yet under pesticide treatment. Invertebrates will be categorized according to mechanisms they use in acquiring food. It is of great interest to researchers concerned with comparative stream ecosystem studies that systems in other regions, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, be investigated using tools and insights gained from other work in North America and Europe. The data collected in this project should be of great value to such researchers. The collaborators are highly respected scientists with a record of successful research in the region to be studied. Dr. Cummins has served as member and chairman of the Ecological Group, a special advisory panel for OCP, and Dr. Wilzbach has served as expert observer for the Ecological Group, in Mali. Dr. Yameogo is recognized as an expert on the identification and ecology of stream and river invertebrates in West Africa. This project is relevant to the objectives of the Science in Developing Countries Program which seeks to increase the level of cooperation between U.S. scientists and engineers and their counterparts in developing countries through the exchange of scientific information, ideas, skills, and techniques and through collaboration on problems of mutual benefit.
