Hypolith Hunt Traditional Cache
Hidden : 5/8/2011
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size: micro (micro)

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Geocache Description:

Hidden near the gate of Gobabeb Desert Research Station.

The cache was hidden at the Gobabeb Desert Research Station (visit link) during my stay there as part of a team of international researchers.
Gibabeb has been hosting international research teams conducting environmental research since 1962
In addition the center itself is actively involved in Training, Sustainable Development, Appropriate Technology, Education, and Environmental Awareness projects within Namibia.

The purpose of our expedition was to study the occurrence and diversity of hypoliths within the Namib desert. Hypoliths are complex symbiotic communities of cyanobacteria and green algae that live underneath quarts rocks. The quarts crystal allows just enough light to pass through to allow for photosynthesis to occur while protecting the microbial communities from the harsh UV-light and strong winds. In addition it is also thought that the rock acts as a moisture trap and thus increases water availability for the microbial community. One of our aims on this particular field trip was to determine whether the moisture originates from precipitation events such as fog or rain, or whether it comes from the many ground water sources within the desert.

The project forms part of a long-term international collaboration project which includes the NASA Spaceward Bound Program (visit link) the Institute of Microbial Biotechnology and Microbiology (www.imbm.co.za) and various other researchers from Germany, Hong Kong and Australia. Starting last year, various members of these research teams will return to Gobabeb at least once a year over the next five years to collect data and set up new experiments within this beautiful and fascinating desert which I have had the privilege of calling home during my childhood.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Uvqqra va n ebpx oruvaq n ebpx.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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