OpportunityTitle: Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit, Great Lakes Northern Forests
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.  CESU&#226;&#191;&#191;s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education.  Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes &#226;&#191;&#191; Northern Forest CESU.
Description: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research to develop diagnostic tools and methodologies to address recent unionid mussel die-offs. Native freshwater mussels are a keystone species and are considered both ecosystem engineers, improving habitat for other species, and indicator species important in assessing the health of the ecosystem. While efforts have focused on conserving the species through captive propagation, relocation, monitoring and mitigation of habitat loss, the role of disease in freshwater mussel declines has gone largely unexplored while large scale die-offs continue to decimate these imperiled populations.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Contract Specialist
GrantorContactText: Faith Graves 703-648-7356&lt;br/&gt;fgraves@usgs.gov&lt;br/&gt;