Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name and number of this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Rocky Mountain CESU funding opportunity, Funding Opportunity Number G16AS00036.

Which federal agency is offering this grant?

The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) as a discretionary grant through a cooperative agreement.

Which USGS office is leading the work?

The work is being offered by the USGS Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK).

What type of funding instrument will be used?

The funding is offered through a cooperative agreement.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.808.

What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

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

What is the main purpose of the project?

The core purpose is to support applied research on how stream habitat for Pacific salmon is measured and interpreted, with a focus on improving the science behind salmon habitat assessment.

What practical question is the project trying to answer?

The project is intended to test how different field sampling strategies can change the conclusions managers and researchers draw about habitat condition and habitat availability for Pacific salmon.

What kind of field data are expected?

The project calls for collecting detailed, continuous field measurements of stream habitat. These data are meant to represent continuous habitat information across a stream network rather than only a small set of discrete sample sites.

What does "continuous" habitat measurement mean in this context?

In this opportunity, continuous measurement refers to collecting habitat information in a way that provides comprehensive coverage across the stream habitat being studied, forming a rich baseline dataset that can be treated as a reference for comparisons.

Which habitat attributes are expected to be quantified?

The field data are expected to quantify both the amount of habitat and key habitat attributes important for Pacific salmon. Substrate is specifically mentioned as an example of a critical attribute.

Which sampling designs must be evaluated?

Two contrasting designs are explicitly identified as essential to evaluate: (1) a traditional reach-based approach (sampling specific stream reaches or segments) and (2) a broader riverscape approach that treats habitat as a continuous network and, in this case, uses a census of stream habitat.

What is a reach-based sampling approach?

A reach-based approach refers to sampling specific stream reaches or segments rather than attempting to characterize habitat continuously across an entire stream network.

What is meant by a riverscape approach in this opportunity?

A riverscape approach treats habitat as a continuous network. In this project description, it is tied to a census of stream habitat, meaning comprehensive coverage rather than sparse or widely spaced sampling.

What does "census of stream habitat" mean here?

It means comprehensive coverage of stream habitat rather than a limited set of sample locations. The census-style dataset is intended to act as a baseline that can be compared against outcomes from more limited designs.

How will the project compare different sampling designs?

After collecting continuous habitat information, the recipient is expected to use simulation-based statistical analysis. The continuous dataset serves as the reference "truth," and simulations repeatedly subsample the data in different ways to mimic alternative sampling intensities and configurations.

What is the role of simulations in this project?

Simulations are used to repeatedly subsample the continuous habitat dataset to evaluate how different sampling designs and sampling effort levels affect the accuracy and precision of habitat characterization.

What is meant by using the continuous dataset as the reference "truth"?

The continuous habitat dataset is treated as the most complete depiction of habitat conditions for the study area. Alternative sampling strategies can then be tested by subsampling from this complete dataset to see how closely they reproduce the baseline results.

What performance aspects of sampling designs are emphasized?

The opportunity emphasizes quantifying accuracy and precision. This implies evaluating uncertainty, bias, and variability introduced by different sampling choices, not just producing point estimates of habitat metrics.

At what spatial scales should sampling performance be evaluated?

The simulations are intended to test performance at multiple spatial scales, including the scale of an individual stream and the larger basin scale.

Why does the opportunity emphasize both stream-scale and basin-scale evaluation?

The description notes that a sampling design that performs well in one stream may not translate cleanly to an entire watershed or basin where habitat conditions are more heterogeneous.

How many awards are expected to be made?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of a single award (Expected Awards: 1).

What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $9,850.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 29, 2016, and it was also created on February 29, 2016.

What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was March 14, 2016. The original and current closing dates are stated as the same.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with additional eligibility clarification referenced in an extra eligibility text field that is not included in the provided excerpt. The description notes this is typical for CESU opportunities, where eligibility often aligns with CESU member institutions and partners.

What is the overall expected outcome of the project?

The intended outcome is guidance that helps practitioners design habitat monitoring programs by showing how to balance cost and effort against the quality, reliability, and defensibility of habitat estimates derived from different sampling strategies.

How does the project aim to improve habitat monitoring decisions?

By using continuous field-based riverscape habitat data and simulation methods to test alternative sampling designs, the project aims to identify how much sampling effort is needed to produce accurate and precise habitat assessments at different spatial scales.