Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with South Florida Caribbean Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00151

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a US Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement offered through the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Units (CESU) Program. It supports a South Florida Caribbean CESU partner to conduct research and provide technical assistance on how Burmese pythons are affecting mammal communities in the Greater Everglades.

What is the main purpose of the award?

The core purpose is to generate actionable research and technical assistance that clarifies the ecological consequences of Burmese python presence, especially impacts on native mammals through predation. The intent is to produce science that can feed into Everglades restoration decision-making and adaptive management, not just academic outputs.

What specific topic is the project focused on?

The project is focused on mammal community dynamics in the Greater Everglades, comparing locations that are clearly impacted by python predation with locations that may appear unimpacted. The goal includes documenting declines where pythons are established and detecting early warning signs or hidden impacts in places that might not yet show obvious change.

Why does the opportunity mention both "impacted" and "seemingly unimpacted" areas?

The inclusion of both area types signals that USGS is interested in more than confirming known impacts. It also suggests interest in detecting subtle or emerging effects, understanding differences across habitats and conditions, and identifying factors (such as habitat, hydrology, or other environmental variables) that may influence mammal community patterns in relation to python presence.

What kinds of approaches does USGS appear to be looking for?

The opportunity emphasizes using modern, high-end monitoring and modeling approaches. Based on the language provided, USGS is likely looking for proposals that go beyond basic surveys and incorporate advanced monitoring methods and quantitative analyses, such as approaches that can measure change over time and link observed patterns to python presence and broader ecosystem conditions.

How is this work connected to Everglades restoration priorities?

The project is framed as part of USGS's broader mission in South Florida to conduct ecological and hydrologic research and monitoring that supports Greater Everglades restoration. Expected outputs are meant to be management-relevant, helping evaluate restoration outcomes and supporting adaptive management as conditions change over long-term restoration efforts.

Which USGS offices are most directly tied to this effort?

The opportunity identifies two USGS offices most directly tied to the work: the Greater Everglades Priority Ecosystems Science center in Davie, Florida, and the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center in Gainesville, Florida. This indicates the project is intended to contribute directly to ongoing Everglades science activities.

Is this opportunity intended for purely academic research?

The description indicates the award is intended to produce actionable science that can be used in restoration decision-making and adaptive management. The work is positioned to inform practical questions such as ecosystem resilience, identification of vulnerable species or communities, and where management actions may have the biggest effect.

What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary cooperative agreement under the CESU Program.

What is the CESU Program in this context?

The CESU Program is described as a mechanism designed to connect federal agencies with partner institutions for research, technical assistance, and education. This opportunity is specifically under the South Florida Caribbean CESU.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations that are already participating partners in the South Florida Caribbean CESU.

What is the activity category for this opportunity?

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

What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is G22AS00151.

What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.808.

What is the maximum award amount?

The listed award ceiling is $499,999.

When was the application closing date?

The original closing date for applications was January 11, 2022.

When was the notice created?

The notice was created on January 7, 2022.

What does the timing of the notice and closing date suggest?

The notice creation date (January 7, 2022) and the closing date (January 11, 2022) indicate a short submission window. The description suggests this is typical of targeted cooperative agreement announcements aimed at a defined partner community such as CESU partners.

What kinds of impacts is the research expected to clarify?

The project is expected to clarify ecological consequences associated with Burmese python presence, with particular emphasis on predation pressure on native mammals and resulting changes in mammal communities.

What kinds of management-relevant outputs are implied by the description?

The description implies outputs that support restoration decision-making and adaptive management, such as identifying vulnerable species or communities, improving understanding of ecosystem resilience, and informing where invasive species management or restoration actions may produce the biggest benefits.

Is the work geographically limited to a particular region?

The opportunity is focused on the Greater Everglades in South Florida, with explicit connections to USGS science centers in Davie and Gainesville, Florida.