Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | G19AS00087

Opportunity Information: Apply for G19AS00087

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G19AS00087) is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Fort Collins Science Center research award intended to support habitat suitability modeling for invasive riparian tree species across the western United States. Issued by the Department of the Interior, USGS, it is a discretionary funding opportunity offered as a cooperative agreement, meaning the project is expected to involve substantial involvement and coordination with USGS staff during the work. The activity falls under Science and Technology and other Research and Development (CFDA 15.808) and is specifically targeted to an eligible CESU partner within the Rocky Mountain CESU network (the eligibility category is listed as "Others," with eligibility clarified in the full notice under the additional information field).

The technical focus is on building and improving predictive, spatially explicit models and maps that identify areas likely to support high abundance of three major invasive riparian trees: tamarisk (often referred to as saltcedar), Russian olive, and Siberian elm. The work is aimed at producing updated habitat suitability outputs across the western U.S., which can help land and water managers anticipate where these species are most likely to establish or persist and where infestations could become especially dense. A key component is updating existing models of occurrence, indicating that prior modeling frameworks or datasets exist and should be refined or refreshed using improved inputs, methods, or more recent observations.

In addition to general species distribution and suitability modeling, the opportunity highlights a specific need to improve hydrology- and water-management-related metrics used in the modeling process. In practical terms, this points to better representation of water availability, flow regimes, groundwater conditions, regulated river operations, irrigation and diversion effects, reservoir management, and other hydrologic drivers that strongly influence riparian vegetation patterns. By strengthening these hydrologic and management variables, the resulting suitability models and maps are expected to be more realistic and more useful for decision-making in regulated and highly managed western river systems, where invasive riparian trees often respond to altered flow patterns and water availability.

Administratively, the opportunity was created on July 8, 2019, with an original closing date of July 22, 2019. The anticipated award size is relatively small and focused, with an award ceiling of $48,000 and a plan to make one award. Overall, this is a narrowly scoped, partner-restricted research project intended to deliver improved predictive tools (models and maps) for understanding and managing invasive riparian tree habitat suitability across the western United States, with special emphasis on incorporating better hydrology and water-management information into the modeling framework.

• The Department of the Interior, U. S. Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 08, 2019.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 22, 2019. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $48,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for G19AS00087

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