OpportunityTitle: Conduct inventory and ecological survey of coastal rock pool resources in multiple parks
AdditionalInformationOnEligibility: This is a single source task agreement award to the University of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN under the Great Lakes-Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).  A noncompetitive award to UMN is justified based on the criteria of (2) continuation and (4) unique qualifications.  First, the proposed activity is a continuation and expansion of pilot rock pool investigations involving NPS and UMN since 2005.  NPS interest in Lake Superior coastal rock pools increased following completion of a spill response planning effort for Isle Royale National Park (ISRO) in 2004, which concluded that rock pool biota were extremely vulnerable to spills.  Interest in the pools increased further following the publication of NPS Coastal Watershed Condition Assessments for Pictured Rocks and Apostle Islands National Lakeshores (PIRO and APIS, respectively) in 2006 and 2007, which identified a need to further investigate coastal rock pool resources.  Because of this interest in coastal rock pools, NPS has conducted several in-house pilot studies while seeking funding for a full-scale research project.  In 2005 and 2006, NPS biologists began to survey and map ISRO rock pools, and from 2006-2008 NPS staff convened a group of subject matter experts including the proposed principal investigator, to discuss research needs, opportunities, and sampling design considerations related to rock pools.  In 2009, a long-term seasonal biological technician for ISRO began to pursue a graduate degree in entomology with the PI and with the PI&apos;s advice and oversight collected a substantial number of insect specimens from ISRO rock pools. Thus the proposed agreement continues and strengthens an existing and productive working relationship between NPS and UMN.    Secondly, UMN and the PI are uniquely qualified to conduct this work.  A major objective of the study is to identify rare and/or taxonomically unique biota including aquatic invertebrates.  The PI is an aquatic entomologist with internationally recognized expertise in the areas of invertebrate taxonomy, systematics, and biodiversity, and has a particular experience investigating invertebrate thermal tolerance, a factor that is likely important in coastal rock pools.  The PI heads the UMN Chironomid Research Group, and has spearheaded the development of taxonomic keys for aquatic invertebrates. Further, the PI has a history of working with the NPS and other management agencies on basic and applied entomological research.  The PI was involved as a co-investigator and graduate advisor for two projects investigating ecological responses to lake level manipulations at Voyageurs National Park, and has conducted invertebrate surveys in the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway and its cold-water tributaries.
Description: &quot;Conduct inventory and ecological survey of coastal rock pool resources in multiple parks&quot;
GrantorContactEmailDescription: Help Desk
GrantorContactText: Tonya Bradley &lt;br/&gt;Contract Specialist &lt;br/&gt;Phone 402-661-1656