Opportunity Information: Apply for 10HQPA0031
Apply for 10HQPA0031
- 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 2026.)
- 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
This grant opportunity, titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number 10HQPA0031), is a US Geological Survey (USGS) National Research Program (NRP) cooperative agreement focused on how sea level rise and saltwater intrusion are reshaping tidal freshwater forested wetlands in the southeastern United States. The central problem driving the work is the ongoing transition of tidal freshwater swamps into marshes as rising sea levels push salinity farther upstream, which in turn contributes to stress and mortality in wetland trees. The overall aim is to build a clearer, process-based understanding of the biogeochemical consequences of this shift, especially changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling, so that scientists and managers can better anticipate how climate change may alter wetland ecosystem services such as nutrient retention, carbon storage, and habitat support.
The funded recipient is expected to take on hands-on field and laboratory responsibilities, specifically collecting, processing, and analyzing plant and soil samples to quantify how vegetation and soil microbes take up, store, and transform C, N, and P. The opportunity is designed for an institution with proven expertise in floodplain wetland biogeochemistry and the capacity to execute a fairly technical sampling and analytical program, including appropriate laboratory instrumentation, field equipment, and trained personnel. While the results should be broadly useful across southeastern watersheds, the announcement highlights two focal river systems where emphasis should be placed: the Savannah River in Georgia and the Waccamaw River in South Carolina, reflecting the region where tidal freshwater forests are already experiencing noticeable salinity-driven change.
The work plan is organized around three core scientific objectives. First, the project must estimate annual nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation by vegetation by tying nutrient concentrations to annual net primary production (NPP) for both trees and marsh plants. This involves sampling aboveground tissues (such as leaves, wood, and marsh grasses) to determine C, N, and P concentrations, then calculating total uptake or assimilation by multiplying tissue concentrations by dry biomass production. A key component of this objective is quantifying fine-root production, with the expectation that sequential soil coring will be used and adapted to incorporate seasonal growth timing (phenology) informed by minirhizotron observations already being conducted along the Savannah River. In practical terms, the funder is looking for a defensible annual accounting of how much C is fixed and how much N and P is incorporated into plant biomass as these wetlands shift from forested to marsh conditions.
Second, the project must address coarse-root production and marsh productivity through repeated sampling and biomass estimation. The announcement specifies collecting two sets of soil cores with a 7.5 cm diameter at 1.5-month intervals from subplots located near aboveground NPP measurement areas, linking aboveground productivity data with belowground dynamics. Coarse-root productivity is expected to be estimated using a combination of root excavation, measurement of dry root mass, and the development of allometric relationships that relate coarse-root biomass to tree diameter at breast height (DBH). Root tissues must then be analyzed for elemental concentrations (C, N, and P), allowing coarse-root production to be integrated into annual nutrient and carbon budgets. For marsh vegetation, productivity is to be estimated by comparing standing crops between winter and the late growing season, since peak biomass in high marsh environments commonly occurs later in the season. Both aboveground and belowground marsh components are to be sampled, and plant tissues analyzed for C, N, and P in a manner consistent with associated sediment and soil analyses, supporting direct comparisons across ecosystem states (forested wetland versus marsh).
Third, the project must estimate soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen using a chloroform fumigation approach to quantify microbial immobilization. Soil subsamples, taken from cores collected by the NRP, are to be fumigated within 24 hours to preserve microbial signals and minimize post-collection changes. After fumigation and extraction, carbon and nitrogen in the resulting solutions are analyzed using specific methods and instruments referenced in the announcement: carbon via a Dohrman DC 80 Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer and nitrogen via Kjeldahl analysis. Microbial biomass C and N (immobilization) are calculated as the difference between fumigated and non-fumigated samples, producing an estimate of how much C and N is held in living microbial biomass and therefore temporarily unavailable for other pathways. This objective ties microbial dynamics directly into the broader biogeochemical consequences of salinity intrusion and changing vegetation, since microbial processing can strongly influence carbon storage, nutrient mineralization, and greenhouse gas-related pathways.
Administratively, this is a discretionary USGS award issued as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework, meaning it is intended for CESU partner institutions and typically involves collaboration and substantial involvement by the agency. Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Piedmont South Atlantic CESU. The opportunity listed an expected number of awards as one, did not require cost sharing or matching, and was posted on January 21, 2010 with an original and current closing date of January 29, 2010, and an archive date of February 28, 2010. The CFDA number associated with the program is 15.808 (USGS Research and Data Collection). The announcement lists an award ceiling of $121,965 and an award floor of $0, with an estimated total funding figure shown as $10,000 in the source record, which suggests applicants would need to pay attention to the detailed budget guidance in the full announcement or agency communications to reconcile those figures. The listed agency contact for access issues was Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the title of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Piedmont South Atlantic CESU."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 10HQPA0031.
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) opportunity under the USGS National Research Program (NRP).
What type of award is being offered?
The award is described as a discretionary USGS award issued as a cooperative agreement under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) framework.
What does it mean that this is a CESU cooperative agreement?
Based on the announcement, it means the project is intended for CESU partner institutions and typically includes collaboration and substantial involvement by the agency.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to participating partners of the Piedmont South Atlantic CESU.
How many awards does USGS expect to make?
The expected number of awards is one.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching is required, according to the announcement.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The CFDA number listed is 15.808 (USGS Research and Data Collection).
What is the scientific focus of this project?
The project focuses on how sea level rise and saltwater intrusion are reshaping tidal freshwater forested wetlands in the southeastern United States, particularly the transition of tidal freshwater swamps into marshes as salinity moves upstream.
What problem is this project trying to address?
The central problem described is that rising sea levels are pushing salinity farther upstream, stressing wetland trees and contributing to tree mortality, which accelerates the shift from forested wetlands to marshes.
What is the overall aim of the work?
The aim is to build a clearer, process-based understanding of biogeochemical consequences of the forest-to-marsh transition, especially changes in carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) cycling, to better anticipate impacts to wetland ecosystem services.
Which ecosystem services are highlighted as potentially affected?
The announcement highlights nutrient retention, carbon storage, and habitat support as wetland ecosystem services that may be altered by climate change and salinity-driven vegetation shifts.
Where will the work be focused geographically?
While the results should be broadly useful across southeastern watersheds, the announcement emphasizes two focal river systems: the Savannah River (Georgia) and the Waccamaw River (South Carolina).
What kinds of activities is the funded recipient expected to perform?
The recipient is expected to perform hands-on field and laboratory work, including collecting, processing, and analyzing plant and soil samples to quantify how vegetation and soil microbes take up, store, and transform C, N, and P.
What expertise is the applicant institution expected to have?
The opportunity is designed for an institution with proven expertise in floodplain wetland biogeochemistry and the capacity to carry out technical sampling and analytical work with appropriate laboratory instrumentation, field equipment, and trained personnel.
What are the main scientific objectives of the project?
The work plan is organized around three objectives: (1) estimating annual nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation by vegetation, (2) addressing coarse-root production and marsh productivity through repeated sampling and biomass estimation, and (3) estimating soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen using a chloroform fumigation approach.
What does Objective 1 require (annual vegetation nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation)?
Objective 1 requires estimating annual nutrient uptake and carbon assimilation by tying tissue nutrient concentrations (C, N, and P) to annual net primary production (NPP) for both trees and marsh plants. This involves sampling aboveground tissues (for example, leaves, wood, and marsh grasses), determining elemental concentrations, and multiplying concentrations by dry biomass production to estimate total uptake/assimilation.
How is fine-root production expected to be measured under Objective 1?
The announcement expects fine-root production to be quantified using sequential soil coring, adapted to incorporate seasonal growth timing (phenology) informed by minirhizotron observations already being conducted along the Savannah River.
What is the practical deliverable implied by Objective 1?
The funder is looking for a defensible annual accounting of how much carbon is fixed and how much nitrogen and phosphorus are incorporated into plant biomass as wetlands shift from forested to marsh conditions.
What does Objective 2 require (coarse roots and marsh productivity)?
Objective 2 requires estimating coarse-root production and marsh productivity through repeated sampling and biomass estimation, linking aboveground NPP measurements with belowground dynamics and generating C, N, and P budgets for these components.
What soil coring schedule and core size are specified for Objective 2?
The announcement specifies collecting two sets of soil cores with a 7.5 cm diameter at 1.5-month intervals from subplots located near aboveground NPP measurement areas.
How is coarse-root productivity expected to be estimated?
Coarse-root productivity is expected to be estimated using a combination of root excavation, measurement of dry root mass, and development of allometric relationships that relate coarse-root biomass to tree diameter at breast height (DBH). Root tissues are then analyzed for C, N, and P so coarse-root production can be incorporated into annual budgets.
How is marsh vegetation productivity expected to be estimated?
Marsh productivity is to be estimated by comparing standing crops between winter and the late growing season, reflecting that peak biomass in high marsh environments commonly occurs later in the season. Both aboveground and belowground marsh components are to be sampled and analyzed for C, N, and P.
Why does the announcement emphasize consistent analysis between plants and soils/sediments?
It specifies that marsh plant tissue analyses should be conducted in a manner consistent with associated sediment and soil analyses to support direct comparisons across ecosystem states (forested wetland versus marsh).
What does Objective 3 require (soil microbial biomass C and N)?
Objective 3 requires estimating soil microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen using a chloroform fumigation approach to quantify microbial immobilization, using soil subsamples from cores collected by the NRP.
What is the timing requirement for soil fumigation?
Soil subsamples are to be fumigated within 24 hours to preserve microbial signals and minimize post-collection changes.
Which analytical instruments/methods are specified for microbial biomass measurements?
The announcement references analyzing carbon using a Dohrman DC 80 Total Organic Carbon (TOC) analyzer and nitrogen using Kjeldahl analysis.
How are microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen calculated in this project?
Microbial biomass C and N (immobilization) are calculated as the difference between fumigated and non-fumigated samples.
How does the microbial biomass objective connect to saltwater intrusion and vegetation change?
The announcement links microbial processing to broader biogeochemical consequences of salinity intrusion and changing vegetation, noting microbial dynamics can influence carbon storage and nutrient cycling pathways.
What is the award ceiling?
The listed award ceiling is $121,965.
What is the award floor?
The listed award floor is $0.
What is the estimated total funding amount shown in the source record?
The source record shows an estimated total funding figure of $10,000.
Why do the ceiling and the estimated total funding figures look inconsistent?
The announcement notes an award ceiling of $121,965 while the source record shows estimated total funding of $10,000, suggesting applicants should pay close attention to detailed budget guidance in the full announcement or agency communications to reconcile the figures.
When was the opportunity posted?
The posting date listed is January 21, 2010.
What were the closing dates?
The original and current closing date listed is January 29, 2010.
When was the opportunity archived?
The archive date listed is February 28, 2010.
Who is the contact person listed for access issues?
The contact listed for access issues is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.
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