A study was done on the productivity of two tree species, Acacia erioloba and Acacia albida, in the river. The aim of the study was to determine factors affecting the production of flowers and pods of the two species and to create an index for long-term monitoring of the vegetation in the river with emphasis on these two species. These factors are height of tree, canopy width of tree and water availability in the river. Other factors such as phenology, river profile and utilisation of the trees by animals were also studied. It was found that canopy width plays an important role in the flower and pod production of these species.

Keywords: Namibia, Namib Desert, Kuiseb River, riverine vegetation, desert vegetation, arid ecosystems, arid environment, monitoring system, flower production, pod production.