Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida/Caribbean CESU | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the title of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled "Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, South Florida/Caribbean CESU" (Funding Opportunity Number G16AS00075).

Which agency is offering this funding?

The funding was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC).

What type of award is this (grant, contract, cooperative agreement)?

This is a discretionary science and technology research award offered as a cooperative agreement. The work is expected to be carried out in close coordination with USGS staff, rather than as a hands-off grant.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was created and posted on June 1, 2016. The application closing date was June 17, 2016.

How many awards did USGS expect to make?

USGS anticipated making a single award.

What is the maximum funding amount available?

The award ceiling (maximum funding level) is $60,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to partners within the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) network for the South Florida/Caribbean region. The announcement references additional eligibility information for further detail.

What geographic region and ecosystem does the project focus on?

The project focuses on coastal and marine research related to coral reefs, with an emphasis on reefs along the northern Florida Reef Tract.

What is the main scientific goal of the project?

The central goal is to quantify how coral reefs dissipate incoming surface wave energy before it reaches shore, helping clarify the role reefs play as natural coastal protection features.

What kinds of waves are included in the wave-energy dissipation analysis?

The project includes common wind-driven waves, longer-period swell, and infragravity waves (low-frequency waves that can strongly affect nearshore water levels and coastal flooding).

Why are infragravity waves specifically important in this opportunity?

Infragravity waves are highlighted because they are low-frequency waves that can strongly affect nearshore water levels and coastal flooding, making them important to coastal hazard risk and coastal protection assessment.

What is the second major objective described in the opportunity?

A second major objective is to understand the three-dimensional hydrodynamic processes that contribute to reef breakdown, including how currents, turbulence, wave-driven flows, and circulation patterns over and around the reef structure may accelerate physical degradation and alter reef elevation and shape.

How does reef degradation connect to coastal hazard risk in this project?

The opportunity calls for assessing how loss of reef height relative to sea level, caused by reef degradation and sea level rise, will alter wave energy dissipation over time. A lower, more degraded reef generally provides less friction and wave breaking capacity, allowing larger waves and higher energy to reach the mainland coastline.

Is there a suggested study site?

Yes. USGS suggested Crocker Reef as a study site.

Why was Crocker Reef suggested?

Crocker Reef is described as a degrading reef and is attractive for the work because USGS already has wave and circulation observations there, along with prior experience modeling three-dimensional circulation and wave dynamics in the area.

Does the opportunity expect applicants to use existing data?

The opportunity notes that USGS already has wave and circulation observations at the suggested site, implying applicants may assess model performance against existing USGS observations and/or new field measurements collected during the project.

What technical approach did USGS prefer?

USGS strongly preferred a deterministic numerical modeling approach that explicitly captures both three-dimensional circulation and waves.

What does "deterministic numerical modeling" mean in the context of this project?

Based on the description provided, it refers to a physics-based modeling framework capable of simulating the coupled wave-current environment over reef bathymetry, then evaluating performance against observations and/or new measurements.

What model capabilities are expected?

The model is expected to (1) simulate coupled waves and three-dimensional circulation over reef bathymetry, (2) be assessed against USGS observations and/or new field measurements, and (3) incorporate historical and future changes to reef elevations to test scenarios of reef lowering and sea level rise and quantify changes in wave attenuation and nearshore energy delivery.

What role do field measurements play in the project?

The opportunity indicates model performance should be assessed against existing USGS observations and/or new field measurements collected during the project, suggesting field data may be used for calibration, verification, or gap-filling as needed.

What outcomes is the project expected to produce?

The work is intended to produce defensible, observation-checked simulations that connect reef morphology and health to measurable changes in wave dissipation and coastal exposure, including scenario-based assessment of reef lowering and sea level rise.

How is coordination with USGS staff expected to work?

Because the award is a cooperative agreement, the project is expected to be conducted in close coordination with USGS staff (as opposed to a more independent, hands-off arrangement).

Which USGS center is associated with administering or hosting the work?

The opportunity is associated with the St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (SPCMSC).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for reference?

The Funding Opportunity Number is G16AS00075.