Opportunity Information: Apply for FWS R6 ES09CO013
Apply for FWS R6 ES09CO013
- The Fish and Wildlife Service in the environment natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Surveys and Genetic Diversity Assessments" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.650 Research Grants (Generic).
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 7, 2009 and posted on Jul 6, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 7, 2009. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $89,275.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- This is a single source agreement to the Denver Botanic Gardens.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Surveys and Genetic Diversity Assessments opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number FWS R6 ES09CO013) is a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service discretionary grant issued as a cooperative agreement under CFDA 15.650 (Research Grants). It was posted in early July 2009 and structured as a single expected award with no cost-sharing requirement. Funding ranged from an award floor of $33,755 to an award ceiling of $89,275. Eligibility was restricted because this was a single-source agreement intended specifically for the Denver Botanic Gardens. The agency also noted that any additional funding would depend on the availability of funds.
The project focuses on two conservation-sensitive Colorado plants where basic questions about taxonomy, distribution, and genetic variation are directly affecting management under the Endangered Species Act and broader recovery planning. The first species is Sclerocactus glaucus, historically listed as endangered in 1979. After taxonomic revisions, what was once treated as a broader species complex was split into S. brevispinus and S. wetlandicus in Utah, and the remaining Colorado entity now referred to as the Colorado hookless cactus (S. glaucus sensu Colorado). Preliminary genetic work suggested that the DeBeque-area populations may be genetically distinct from other Colorado populations, but the pattern has not been examined in depth. Complicating management further, the Colorado hookless cactus is known to hybridize with the more common Sclerocactus parviflorus, especially near Whitewater, Colorado. The grant work is designed to use genetic diversity analyses to clarify taxonomic status within the Colorado hookless cactus, and to examine, measure, and map where hybridization is occurring. The practical outcome is to help managers identify which populations contain the most genetic diversity or unique genetic lineages that may deserve higher conservation priority, while also pinpointing where hybridization is occurring so that ESA protections can be applied with clearer geographic and biological justification.
The second focal species is Phacelia formosula (North Park phacelia), a narrow Colorado endemic known only from Jackson County within a small area roughly 7 miles east-to-west by 11 miles north-to-south. It is documented from eight element occurrences, with two considered historical because they have not been revisited in more than two decades. Total rangewide abundance is estimated at about 7,700 individuals, but most plants are concentrated in only two occurrences (one around 850 individuals and another around 6,000), which makes the species potentially vulnerable to localized impacts. A major issue highlighted in the announcement is that recovery is difficult because key information is missing, including updated occurrence data and a clearer understanding of threats. Adding to the uncertainty, three occurrences of an unidentified but similar Phacelia (about 2,500 individuals) were discovered in 2004 in Larimer County, nearly 20 miles from the Jackson County populations. Because the Larimer plants look morphologically similar to P. formosula, the project proposes taxonomic resolution through combined genetic and morphological analyses to determine whether the Larimer County plants should be considered P. formosula.
For Phacelia formosula specifically, the funded work is framed as a way to prevent extinction risk and reinvigorate recovery efforts by carrying out four main tasks: expanded field surveys, updated element occurrence documentation (including new population counts, threat observations, and notes on plant community and geology), comparative assessments of morphological diversity between Jackson and Larimer County plants, and genetic diversity assessments across the known range as well as within the Larimer County sites. Taken together, the overall grant is aimed at producing actionable science: clarifying what exactly is being conserved (taxonomy), where it occurs (surveys and occurrence updates), how genetically variable and resilient it may be (genetic diversity), and where legal protections and management actions should be targeted (especially regarding cactus hybridization and the prioritization of genetically important populations).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Surveys and Genetic Diversity Assessments (FWS R6 ES09CO013)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled Surveys and Genetic Diversity Assessments.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FWS R6 ES09CO013.
Which federal agency is offering this grant?
The awarding agency is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
What type of federal award is this?
This funding is issued as a discretionary grant using a cooperative agreement instrument.
What CFDA program does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is under CFDA 15.650, described as Research Grants.
When was this opportunity posted?
It was posted in early July 2009.
How many awards were expected?
The announcement was structured as a single expected award.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. The opportunity stated there was no cost-sharing requirement.
What was the funding range for this opportunity?
The award floor was $33,755 and the award ceiling was $89,275.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was restricted because this was a single-source agreement intended specifically for the Denver Botanic Gardens.
Could the award amount increase beyond the stated range?
The agency noted that any additional funding would depend on the availability of funds.
What is the overall purpose of the project?
The project is designed to generate actionable conservation science for two conservation-sensitive Colorado plants by addressing key unknowns about taxonomy, distribution, and genetic variation that directly affect management under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) and broader recovery planning.
Which two plant species are the focus of the project?
The project focuses on Sclerocactus glaucus (Colorado hookless cactus; S. glaucus sensu Colorado) and Phacelia formosula (North Park phacelia).
Why is Sclerocactus glaucus a priority for genetic and taxonomic work?
Management is complicated by taxonomic revisions and unresolved genetic questions. What was once treated as a broader species complex was split into S. brevispinus and S. wetlandicus in Utah, leaving the Colorado entity referred to as the Colorado hookless cactus (S. glaucus sensu Colorado). Preliminary genetic work suggested DeBeque-area populations may be genetically distinct from other Colorado populations, but that pattern had not been examined in depth.
What role does hybridization play in managing the Colorado hookless cactus?
The Colorado hookless cactus is known to hybridize with Sclerocactus parviflorus, particularly near Whitewater, Colorado. This creates practical challenges for applying and justifying ESA protections because hybridization can blur biological and geographic boundaries used for management.
What does the project aim to do for Sclerocactus glaucus?
For the cactus, the work is designed to use genetic diversity analyses to clarify taxonomic status within the Colorado hookless cactus and to examine, measure, and map where hybridization with S. parviflorus is occurring.
How will the cactus results be used by managers?
The intended management outcomes include identifying which populations contain the most genetic diversity or unique genetic lineages that may warrant higher conservation priority, and pinpointing areas where hybridization is occurring so ESA protections and management actions can be applied with clearer geographic and biological justification.
What is Phacelia formosula and where is it found?
Phacelia formosula (North Park phacelia) is a narrow Colorado endemic known only from Jackson County within a small area roughly 7 miles east-to-west by 11 miles north-to-south.
How many known occurrences of Phacelia formosula are documented?
The species is documented from eight element occurrences, with two considered historical because they have not been revisited in more than two decades.
What is the estimated rangewide abundance of Phacelia formosula?
Total rangewide abundance is estimated at about 7,700 individuals.
Why is Phacelia formosula considered potentially vulnerable?
Most individuals are concentrated in only two occurrences (approximately 850 and 6,000 plants). This concentration can make the species vulnerable to localized impacts affecting those key sites, and recovery is further complicated by missing information on updated occurrences and threats.
What key information gaps are highlighted for Phacelia formosula recovery?
The announcement emphasizes that recovery is difficult because key information is missing, including updated occurrence data and a clearer understanding of threats.
What is the Larimer County Phacelia issue mentioned in the opportunity?
In 2004, three occurrences of an unidentified but similar Phacelia (about 2,500 individuals) were discovered in Larimer County, nearly 20 miles from the Jackson County populations. Because these plants look morphologically similar to P. formosula, the project proposes combined genetic and morphological analyses to determine whether the Larimer County plants should be considered P. formosula.
What are the main tasks proposed for Phacelia formosula under this grant?
The opportunity frames the Phacelia work around four main tasks: (1) expanded field surveys; (2) updated element occurrence documentation including new population counts, threat observations, and notes on plant community and geology; (3) comparative assessments of morphological diversity between Jackson and Larimer County plants; and (4) genetic diversity assessments across the known range and within the Larimer County sites.
How does this project connect science outputs to ESA and recovery planning?
The overall approach is to clarify (1) what exactly is being conserved (taxonomy), (2) where it occurs (surveys and occurrence updates), (3) how genetically variable and resilient it may be (genetic diversity), and (4) where protections and management should be targeted (including mapping cactus hybridization and prioritizing genetically important populations).
What practical conservation decisions are this project expected to support?
Based on the announcement, the work is intended to support decisions such as prioritizing populations with the greatest or most unique genetic diversity, updating occurrence records and population counts, documenting threats and habitat context, and defining management boundaries more clearly where hybridization affects ESA-related implementation.
Does the opportunity describe any specific conservation status details for the cactus?
Yes. Sclerocactus glaucus was historically listed as endangered in 1979, and later taxonomic revisions changed how the broader complex was interpreted, creating management-relevant questions for the Colorado entity.
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