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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this grant opportunity about?

This discretionary funding opportunity supports targeted research to improve the Everglades Depth Estimation Network (EDEN), a core dataset used to generate water-depth and hydroperiod information for biological and restoration models connected to the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan.

Which agency is offering the grant?

The grant is offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) through the South Florida Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

Why is EDEN being updated and refined?

EDEN is updated over time as better elevation measurements, improved water-surface modeling, and new supporting field data become available. The program relies heavily on user feedback and validation studies to identify weaknesses and guide refinements.

What specific issue is driving this award?

The award is driven by an apparent inconsistency in EDEN-derived hydroperiod patterns within Water Conservation Area 1 (WCA1), also known as the A.R.M. Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge. Hydroperiod outputs in WCA1 appear unusually patchy and variable compared to other Everglades subregions.

What evidence suggests there may be a problem with the EDEN DEM in WCA1?

When the EDEN digital elevation model (DEM) was compared with high-resolution digital orthophoto quadrangles (DOQQs, 1-meter imagery from 2004), some DEM grid cells in WCA1 showed elevations up to about 30 centimeters higher than surrounding cells even where the imagery did not show landscape features that would clearly justify those elevation spikes.

What is the working hypothesis for the elevation spikes in WCA1?

The working hypothesis is that some elevation points used to build the DEM were collected on small tree islands or other slightly elevated microtopographic features. In addition, interpolation rules used to create the gridded DEM in WCA1 may not have smoothed those higher measurements the same way they were smoothed elsewhere.

Were different interpolation rules actually used in WCA1?

Yes. USGS personnel confirmed that different interpolation rules were applied in WCA1.

Why is WCA1 particularly challenging for elevation modeling?

WCA1 has a dense pattern of small tree islands and fine-scale topographic variability. This makes it difficult to determine which variability should be preserved to reflect real conditions versus smoothed to maintain consistency with other EDEN products and to avoid artifacts.

What is the overall purpose of the project?

The purpose is to quantify how much of the observed variability in WCA1 is real terrain structure and how much is DEM error or an interpolation artifact, creating a stronger foundation for downstream analyses that rely on EDEN in WCA1.

What are the main objectives of the project?

The work is organized around three connected objectives:

• Objective 1: Build a reference base of ground elevation data and related information (primarily in WCA1) to serve as a validation dataset.
• Objective 2: Perform a statistical comparison between modeled EDEN DEM elevations and measured ground elevations to characterize error patterns, bias, and variability.
• Objective 3: Document a SAS program that can batch process EDEN surfaces to support efficient, repeatable processing and analysis for future studies and operational use.

What deliverable related to software or automation is included?

The opportunity includes documenting a SAS program that can batch process EDEN surfaces, with the intent of enabling efficient and repeatable EDEN dataset processing for future studies and operational use.

How will this project improve EDEN products?

By establishing a validation dataset and statistically comparing measured ground elevations to modeled EDEN DEM elevations, the project aims to identify error patterns, bias, and sources of variability. This supports refinements that improve reliability of EDEN products for research and management decisions in WCA1.

Why do accurate hydroperiod and water-depth estimates matter for WCA1?

Restoration planning and ecological assessments in WCA1 depend on accurate water-depth and hydroperiod estimates. Since EDEN outputs feed biological and restoration models, inconsistencies can affect downstream analyses and decision-making.

What type of funding mechanism is used?

The opportunity uses a cooperative agreement mechanism.

Is this considered a discretionary opportunity?

Yes. It is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.

What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA number?

The funding opportunity number is 08HQPA0017. The CFDA number is 15.808 (USGS Research and Data Collection).

What is the program area or category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

How much funding is available?

USGS anticipated making one award with total funding of $15,000.

What are the award floor and ceiling?

The award floor is $15,000 and the award ceiling is also $15,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

How many awards were anticipated?

The agency anticipated making one award.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to partners participating in the South Florida Caribbean CESU program, consistent with the CESU model of partnering organizations that provide research, technical assistance, and education tied to federal resource-management needs.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on February 20, 2008. The original and current closing date was February 29, 2008.

When was the opportunity archived?

The archive date was March 30, 2008.

Who should be contacted for access issues?

The listed contact for access issues is Faith Graves, Contract Specialist, at 703-648-7356.