OpportunityTitle: Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU), Great Lakes Northern Forests
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.  CESU&#191;s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education.  Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Great Lakes / Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.
Description: The USGS is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research to investigate biological and oceanographic processes impacting the persistence of a threatened species of coral in Dry Tortugas National Park and potential for populations there to aid the recovery of this species throughout the western Atlantic. The Ekhorn Coral, Acropora palmata, builds the reef crest habitat zone responsible for shoreline protection and support of fisheries that coastal communities depend upon for survival. The research in this study is expected to result in new data informing on why this coral&#191;s growth rates are substantially higher in Dry Tortugas compared to other places in Florida and produce a model predicting the trophic partitioning of resources by corals found in this unique environment. This will inform management and restoration decision making, including planning for the impacts of future temperature stress and storm activity on coral reef resources that continue to degrade despite their importance to coastal communities throughout U.S. states and territories.
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Contract Specialist
GrantorContactText: Faith Graves 703-648-7356&lt;br/&gt;fgraves@usgs.gov