Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this grant opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Pacific Northwest CESU" and it is associated with Funding Opportunity Number 10HQPA0054.

Which federal agency is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The project described in the announcement is tied to the USGS Western Fisheries Research Center.

What type of award is this?

This is described as a small, targeted USGS research award administered through a cooperative agreement.

When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted on May 4, 2010. The application deadline was May 15, 2010. The opportunity was later archived on June 14, 2010.

Is this opportunity currently open?

No. Based on the provided information, the opportunity was archived on June 14, 2010, and the application deadline was May 15, 2010.

What CFDA program does this fall under?

This opportunity sits under CFDA 15.808, described as "U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection."

How is the funding categorized?

It is categorized as discretionary funding for science, technology, and other research and development.

How many awards did USGS expect to make?

USGS anticipated making a single award.

What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $30,000.

Was there an award ceiling or floor?

No stated award ceiling or award floor was provided in the information given.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No. There was no cost-share or matching requirement stated.

What is the main project focus?

The project focuses on generating new spatial data products for the South Slough Estuary in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Which habitats and resources were specifically mentioned for mapping?

The announcement specifically calls out mapping the spatial distribution of key estuarine habitats and resources, including oyster beds, eelgrass beds, and salt marshes.

What kinds of data layers or attributes were expected beyond simple habitat locations?

In addition to mapping where features occur, the work was expected to capture elevation and habitat parameters. These are described as essential for understanding how habitats relate to tides, inundation frequency, and other physical conditions that influence habitat persistence and ecological function.

Why is elevation information important for this project?

The provided description links elevation to how habitats are positioned relative to tides and inundation frequency. Those factors strongly influence whether habitats persist and how they function ecologically within an estuary.

How does this work connect to climate change and sea level rise?

A central purpose of the opportunity is to strengthen forecasting and scenario modeling related to climate change, especially the effects of sea level rise and shifts in temperature and precipitation patterns. Higher-quality habitat distribution and habitat parameter data are intended to improve model inputs used to predict how habitats may expand, contract, or shift under future conditions.

What is the intended modeling or forecasting benefit of the spatial data products?

The spatial data products are intended to improve the inputs used in models that forecast future habitat distributions for oysters, eelgrass, and salt marshes, including potential expansion, contraction, or spatial shifts under changing environmental conditions.

Why are oysters, eelgrass, and salt marshes important in this context?

According to the opportunity description, these habitats support broader estuarine food webs and provide services such as shoreline stabilization, water filtration, nursery habitat for fish and invertebrates, and carbon storage. Better forecasts are described as directly relevant to ecological planning and management.

What management outcomes were emphasized?

USGS emphasized that results should enhance the ability of resource managers to address regional climate-change challenges affecting fish, wildlife, and habitat conditions in Washington and Oregon estuaries.

Was uncertainty analysis part of the expected work?

Yes. The opportunity indicates that the work is expected to contribute to quantifying uncertainty in estuarine species distribution forecasting.

What sources of uncertainty were mentioned?

The description mentions uncertainty arising from modeling choices and methodologies, as well as uncertainty tied to natural variability within estuarine systems. Examples of natural variability noted include changes over short distances and timescales driven by tides, freshwater inputs, sediment dynamics, and seasonal biological patterns.

Where is the study area located?

The project is focused on the South Slough Estuary in Coos Bay, Oregon.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to members of the Pacific Northwest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

What does CESU membership imply for applicants?

Based on the provided description, CESU is a partnership-based framework designed to facilitate collaborative research, technical assistance, and education between federal agencies and qualified partner institutions. For this opportunity, applicants needed to be participating CESU partners to be considered.

How does the eligibility restriction affect competition?

The announcement notes that limiting eligibility to Pacific Northwest CESU members narrows competition to institutions already within that cooperative network.

Who is the point of contact for help accessing the full announcement?

The point of contact listed was Faith Graves, Contract Specialist.

How can the point of contact be reached?

Faith Graves can be reached by phone at 703-648-7356.