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• Climate and Hydrological System:  This research examines the physical processes that govern the climate and hydrologic system, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, land surfaces, and biosphere.  These efforts are clearly central to the description, understanding, and prediction of global change.  The FY 1990 budget proposes $59.3 million for this element, a 56 percent increase over the FY 1989 level.

• Human Interactions:  These programs study the interface between natural processes and human activities.  Roughly two-thirds are policy studies and not earth science research.  However, these studies benefit greatly from close association with the research activities.  The FY 1990 budget proposes $22.0 million for this element.

• Earth System History:   This element is crucial to documenting past natural changes.  Climate information from the past will be very important in distinguishing the relative roles of natural phenomena and human activity in global change.  The FY 1990 budget proposes $7.0 million for this element, roughly doubling the FY 1989 level.

• Solid Earth Processes:  Interactions between the earth's surface and the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, and biosphere are the key elements of this program.  The FY 1990 budget proposes $10.5 million for this element, an 18 percent increase over the FY 1989 level.

• Solar Influences:  These programs are designed to study the impact of solar variability on the atmosphere and climate.  The FY 1990 budget proposes $7.3 million for this element, a 78 percent increase over the FY 1989 level.