Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the funding opportunity number for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number for this grant is G15AS00099.

Which federal agency released this opportunity?

This opportunity was released by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

What program and CESU network is this opportunity associated with?

The opportunity was offered under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, specifically through the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU.

What type of award was anticipated?

USGS anticipated making a single award as a discretionary cooperative agreement.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

The opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

What is the CFDA number and program name associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 15.808, U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.

How much funding was USGS expecting to award?

The estimated total funding amount was $60,000.

How many awards did USGS expect to make?

USGS anticipated making one award.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching funds.

When was the announcement posted and created?

The announcement was posted and created on June 29, 2015.

What was the application closing date?

The opportunity closed on July 17, 2015.

When was the opportunity archived?

The opportunity was archived on September 29, 2015.

What is the project focus or title described in the opportunity?

The project focus is titled "Tidal marsh elevation response to long term fertilization and impacts for resilience to sea level rise."

What main problem is the funded project trying to address?

The project addresses increasing coastal risk from global warming, especially sea level rise, and focuses on whether coastal wetlands can maintain ground surface elevation relative to rising water levels.

Why is marsh surface elevation important in the context of sea level rise?

The degree of risk to coastal regions depends heavily on whether coastal wetlands can keep their ground surface elevation high enough as water levels rise.

What mechanism helps wetlands build or maintain elevation over time?

A key mechanism is the preservation and accumulation of organic carbon in sediment, which supports elevation building and maintenance.

Why does the opportunity emphasize nutrient availability?

Many coastal wetlands naturally have low nutrient inputs. The opportunity frames nutrient availability as a potential limiting factor that could influence organic material production, how much is stored in soils, and whether marshes gain or lose elevation over time.

What is the central scientific question related to fertilization in tidal marshes?

The core question is the net effect of long-term fertilization on sediment carbon balance and marsh elevation trajectories, given that fertilization can influence multiple processes in opposite directions.

How can nutrient enrichment negatively affect marsh carbon and elevation dynamics?

The opportunity notes two potential negative pathways: higher nutrient loading may reduce the fraction of plant production allocated belowground to roots, and it may increase decomposition (mineralization) of existing organic carbon, both of which can weaken soil-building processes.

How can nutrient enrichment potentially benefit marsh elevation?

Added nutrients can stimulate overall primary production, which could increase organic inputs to sediments and potentially help marshes build elevation.

Why are long-term experiments and careful analysis needed?

Because nutrient enrichment can drive competing processes at the same time, long-term experiments and careful analysis are needed to untangle parallel effects and determine the net outcome for carbon storage and elevation change.

Does the opportunity prioritize studies across multiple locations?

Yes. The announcement emphasizes evaluating effects across broad geographic and latitudinal scales rather than relying on a single site or short timeframe.

What kinds of outputs or products were expected from the funded work?

Expected products include statistical analyses and modeling efforts that synthesize findings from long-term fertilization experiments in tidal marshes across different regions, along with improved understanding of how fertilization affects multiple wetland processes relevant to resilience.

What does the opportunity mean by "untangling" competing processes?

It refers to separating and assessing opposing fertilization effects, such as increased primary production versus reduced belowground allocation and increased decomposition, to determine the net effect on sediment carbon balance and marsh elevation.

How does the opportunity connect fertilization response data to sea level rise impacts?

An explicit goal is to use fertilization response data to infer whether nutrient-driven increases in productivity could realistically offset the impacts of sea level rise, improving insight into marsh vulnerability and management tradeoffs under warming conditions.

Who was eligible to apply for this opportunity?

Eligibility was limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU Program.

Why was eligibility limited to CESU partners?

The opportunity reflects the CESU structure as a partnership mechanism intended to deliver research, technical assistance, and education in collaboration with federal agencies.

Who was the contact person for access issues or questions?

The listed contact was Faith Graves.

What contact information was provided for the opportunity?

Faith Graves could be reached at 703-648-7356 or by email at fgraves@usgs.gov.

Where were additional posting details available?

Additional posting details were available via Grants.gov.