Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) discretionary funding solicitation under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program for the Rocky Mountain CESU. The Funding Opportunity Number is 07HQPA0028, and it supports a single cooperative agreement focused on dendrohydrological research in the Jemez Mountains region of New Mexico.

What is the main purpose of the project?

The project aims to use tree-ring science (dendrochronology) to reconstruct hydrological variability over the past several centuries. The intent is to create a longer-term perspective on wet and dry periods than is available from modern instrumental hydrologic records.

What geographic area is the research focused on?

The work is focused on the Jemez Mountains region of New Mexico.

What type of agreement is expected to be awarded?

The solicitation supports a single cooperative agreement.

How many awards does USGS expect to make?

USGS anticipated making one award.

How much funding is available?

Total funding is fixed at $24,957. The award floor and award ceiling are both listed as $24,957, indicating a single, set-budget award amount.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) for this opportunity?

The Assistance Listing (CFDA) associated with this opportunity is 15.808, U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection.

What is the activity category for this grant?

The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are participating partners in the Rocky Mountain CESU network. The announcement notes universities as the intended performers for the dendrohydrological work, but the key eligibility requirement is Rocky Mountain CESU partnership status.

What program framework is this opportunity issued under?

This opportunity is issued under the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program, a partnership model used by federal agencies to obtain research, technical assistance, and education support.

What are the main research tasks described in the announcement?

The announcement describes four core tasks: (1) return to two previously sampled tree-ring sites and collect additional material; (2) establish one entirely new tree-ring chronology at a moisture-stressed site with very old trees and remnant material; (3) process wood from all three sites and develop three distinct site-level tree-ring chronologies; and (4) develop and analyze preliminary dendrohydrological reconstructions that are several centuries long.

What work is planned for the field seasons?

The core work centers on field collection and laboratory development of tree-ring chronologies during the 2007 and 2008 field seasons.

Why does the project return to previously sampled sites?

The two sites were previously sampled and already show strong hydroclimatic sensitivity. They were selected because there is potential to update the records to the present and extend them farther back in time by sampling remnant wood (such as dead standing trees, logs, or other preserved material).

What kind of new site is required for the third chronology?

The project requires establishing one new tree-ring chronology at a moisture-stressed site that contains very old trees and remnant material, which is typically where tree growth is most tightly linked to moisture availability and is therefore especially useful for hydrologic reconstruction.

What does it mean to develop “site-level tree-ring chronologies”?

Based on the announcement, this includes processing wood samples, crossdating to assign annual rings to the correct calendar years, measuring ring widths (or other metrics), and building chronologies for each of the three sites.

What are the expected scientific outputs at the end of the project?

The project culminates in developing and analyzing preliminary dendrohydrological reconstructions that are several centuries long, using the newly developed and updated chronologies to estimate past hydrologic conditions (such as streamflow or moisture indices) and evaluating reconstruction quality and long-term variability.

What kinds of hydrologic variables might be reconstructed?

The announcement gives examples such as streamflow or moisture indices, described generally as past hydrologic conditions.

What kinds of wood material may be sampled?

In addition to living trees, the announcement mentions remnant wood such as dead standing trees, logs, or other preserved material to extend records farther back in time.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The announcement was posted and created on July 9, 2007. The original and current closing date listed is July 19, 2007.

What is the archival date for this opportunity?

The opportunity was archived on August 18, 2007.

Who is the USGS point of contact listed for questions about accessing the full announcement?

Questions about accessing the full announcement were directed to Faith Peters, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.

What is the funding opportunity number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is 07HQPA0028.

Does the solicitation specify that the recipient must be a university?

The description highlights universities as the intended performers for the dendrohydrological work, but eligibility is specifically tied to being a participating partner in the Rocky Mountain CESU network.