Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU | G19AS00080

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit, Colorado Plateau CESU funding opportunity (Notice No. G19AS00080).

Which federal agency offered this award?

This was a discretionary research award offered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), through the USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC).

What type of award mechanism was used?

The opportunity was structured as a cooperative agreement.

What is the program category and CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The notice placed the opportunity under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, with CFDA 15.808.

What was the main purpose of the project?

The project aimed to support applied research to help solve a pressing land management problem in the southwestern United States: restoring native plant communities by using the right plant materials for the right places under changing environmental conditions.

What core scientific question or need did the opportunity emphasize?

The notice emphasized the need to understand adaptive traits across native plant populations so that agencies and practitioners can develop and deploy native plant materials that are geographically appropriate and resilient as environmental conditions change.

Why is research on native plant adaptation and resiliency important in the Southwest?

The opportunity highlighted that restoration and post-disturbance rehabilitation often rely on seeding or planting, and success depends heavily on whether plant materials are well-matched to local conditions and capable of persisting as climates shift. It also stated that research on local adaptation and climate resiliency is still very limited for many species commonly used in Southwestern restoration, and that filling this gap is essential to improve restoration decision-making and outcomes.

What kinds of land disturbances are driving the increased need for native seed?

The notice cited wildfire, overgrazing, mining impacts, and energy development as disturbances that can degrade or remove native vegetation and increase the need for native plant materials in restoration.

What problems can occur when native vegetation is degraded or removed?

According to the opportunity description, impacted landscapes can become vulnerable to erosion, invasive species, and long-term ecological decline.

What geographic area was the focus of the work?

The work was focused on the southwestern United States, with emphasis on restoration needs in Arizona and New Mexico.

Who was identified as a major stakeholder in this effort?

The New Mexico Bureau of Land Management (BLM) was identified as a major stakeholder in regional restoration efforts tied to this research.

How does this opportunity relate to the BLM National Seed Strategy?

The notice described alignment with the BLM National Seed Strategy, which aims to ensure restoration practitioners have access to appropriate native seed when needed, including for emergency stabilization after fires and for longer-term rehabilitation of damaged sites.

What types of activities were mentioned as part of broader restoration collaborations?

Typical activities described included creating target species lists (to identify native species most needed for restoration), collecting seed from wild populations, and working with agricultural producers to increase seed availability through cultivation.

Was this opportunity intended to fund multiple organizations or a single organization?

The opportunity was intended to support a single CESU partner organization, and the notice indicated one expected award.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was limited to CESU partners (listed under "Others"), with additional eligibility details referenced in the full notice.

What is the role of the CESU model in this opportunity?

The opportunity reflected the CESU program model, which is designed to connect federal agencies with qualified research partners to conduct mission-relevant studies that can be translated into management guidance.

What was the maximum funding amount available?

The award had a funding ceiling of $78,000.

How many awards were expected?

The notice indicated that one award was expected.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on July 8, 2019, and the original closing date was July 22, 2019.

What does the short application window suggest about this announcement?

Based on the notice details, the approximately two-week period between posting and closing suggests a short application window typical of certain targeted cooperative agreement announcements.

What kinds of outcomes was the grant intended to produce?

The grant sought to produce actionable science on how native plant populations differ in traits related to adaptation, so that seed sourcing, plant material development, and restoration planning in the Southwest can be more strategic, regionally tailored, and better aligned with current and future environmental pressures.

What land types did the notice mention as relevant to the project?

The opportunity referenced improving outcomes on public and tribal lands, rangelands, and other managed landscapes.

Why does the notice emphasize "the right plant materials for the right places"?

The description indicates that one-size-fits-all seed sources may fail in complex, degraded landscapes, and that restoration success depends on using plant materials that fit local conditions while also being resilient under changing environmental conditions.

How does interagency coordination fit into this work?

The notice described an approach that leans on interagency coordination (including USGS SBSC and New Mexico BLM) to address practical challenges in restoring degraded landscapes, especially where logistical constraints can limit restoration options.