Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic CESU | Apply Online

Opportunity Information: Apply for 10HQPA0031

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic CESU, is offering a grant opportunity focused on researching the impacts of rising sea levels and increasing salinity on tidal freshwater forested wetlands. The National Research Program of the US Geological Survey aims to explore how these changes affect biogeochemical processes, particularly tree mortality, in these ecosystems.

The primary goal is to assess the biogeochemical repercussions of sea level rise on these wetlands, utilizing insights to project the effects of climate change on ecosystem services. The institution receiving the grant will need to undertake tasks such as collecting and analyzing samples to measure carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus uptake by both vegetation and soil microbes.

Key requirements include extensive experience in biogeochemical measurements within floodplain wetlands and access to the necessary laboratory and field equipment. Although the research will have implications for watersheds across the southeastern U.S., it will particularly target the Savannah River in Georgia and the Waccamaw River in South Carolina.

The specific objectives of the funding include:

1. **Uptake and Assimilation**: Estimating annual nitrogen and phosphorus uptake, as well as carbon assimilation, by analyzing aboveground and belowground biomass, and employing tree and marsh grass sampling methods. 2. **Coarse Root Production**: Collecting soil cores at regular intervals to assess coarse root productivity through excavation and measurement, alongside determination of elemental concentrations.

3. **Estimate Microbial Biomass C and N**: Using a chloroform fumigation technique to evaluate carbon and nitrogen immobilization in soil microbial biomass through analysis of soil samples collected for the project.

This research aims to deepen the understanding of how tidal freshwater ecosystems respond to climate-related changes.

• The Geological Survey in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic CESU" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.808 U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jan 21, 2010 and posted on Jan 21, 2010.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 29, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2025.)
• The funding agency has allocated a total of $10,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $121,965.00 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).
• This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Piedmont South Atlantic CESU.

Apply for 10HQPA0031

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