Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | Apply Online

Opportunity Summary:

The Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU grant opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number G14AS00013) was offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), specifically the Fort Collins Science Center, to support research on how atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition may be linked to terrestrial vegetation diversity across the United States. The central question driving the work is whether there is a measurable relationship between nitrogen deposited from the atmosphere and plant diversity, and if so, where in the U.S. that relationship is strongest or most apparent. The proposed work is built around a clear hypothesis: as atmospheric N deposition increases along a gradient, plant diversity and species richness (with diversity defined to include both richness and abundance) decline.

The project emphasis is on using existing empirical datasets rather than starting entirely from scratch. The funded effort is expected to compile, evaluate, and analyze available plant diversity data that already occur along known or modeled nitrogen deposition gradients. This includes gathering and assessing datasets that capture patterns in terrestrial plant communities, then pairing those observations with modeled N deposition surfaces to test for consistent trends. Beyond simply checking for correlations, the scope includes identifying geographic areas or ecosystem types where existing information is thin or where additional analysis and targeted data collection could meaningfully strengthen conclusions.

A major technical challenge explicitly called out in the opportunity is dealing with confounding variables that tend to change alongside nitrogen deposition gradients. In many landscapes, N deposition is correlated with other factors such as climate, elevation, land use intensity, soil chemistry, and pollution mixtures, which can make it difficult to isolate nitrogen effects. The announcement signals that applicants should address these co-varying factors using credible approaches such as comparisons to nitrogen fertilizer experiments (where nitrogen is manipulated more directly), multivariate statistical methods, or other analytical strategies capable of separating nitrogen signals from correlated environmental drivers. The work is also expected to include formal statistical analysis and meta-analysis, indicating an interest in synthesizing evidence across multiple studies, sites, or datasets to assess overall effect sizes and patterns rather than relying on single-case results.

One of the most policy-relevant deliverables implied in the description is informing potential revisions to critical loads (CL) for nitrogen deposition impacts on terrestrial biodiversity. Critical loads are commonly used thresholds describing deposition levels above which harmful ecological effects are expected. By evaluating real-world diversity responses along deposition gradients and integrating evidence across datasets, the project aims to help refine estimates of where those thresholds may lie for different ecosystems or regions, and whether current critical load values appropriately reflect biodiversity impacts.

Administratively, this was a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement mechanism, meaning substantial involvement or collaboration with the federal agency is typically expected compared to a standard grant. The opportunity fell under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category and referenced CFDA 15.808 (U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection). The posting timeline indicates it was posted on November 25, 2013, with an original closing date of December 6, 2013, later extended to December 20, 2013, and archived on February 25, 2014. The estimated total funding amount for the opportunity was $68,000, with an expectation of a single award and no cost-sharing or matching requirement listed. The award ceiling and floor were both shown as $0, which often reflects a formatting or posting convention rather than the absence of funding, especially given the stated total estimated funding.

Eligibility was limited to organizations that are participating partners in the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESUs are partnership networks designed to provide research, technical assistance, and education services to federal land and science agencies, and this restriction means only entities formally affiliated with the Rocky Mountain CESU could apply. For access issues or questions, the listed contact was Faith Graves (703-648-7356, fgraves@usgs.gov), and the general opportunity information was accessible through Grants.gov.

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Previous opportunity: Cooperative Ecoystem Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forest CESU

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