9321925 Abrams This is a proposal for a planning trip to the Desert Ecological Research Unit (DERU) at Gobabeb, Namibia, to finalize a collaborative research effort on resource cycling efficiency, for both water and nutrients, of several plant communities along the Kuiseb River near Gobabeb. The project will be integrated with an ongoing DERU study on ecosystem dynamics within ephemeral rivers and the associated Faidherbia stands. The collaboration will allow a more extensive study of the soil's role in resource cycling in arid ecosystems, using the Namib as a relatively undisturbed model. Data obtained during this trip will then be compared with existing studies in the United States. This project in ecosystem dynamics fulfills the program objective of advancing scientific knowledge by enabling leading experts in the United States and Namibia to combine complementary talents and conduct research in areas of strong mutual interest and competence. ***
