This grant, offered by the U.S. Geological Survey (Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center in collaboration with the Alaska Science Center), is for studying the impacts of wildfires, forest structure, and fuel treatments on the federally endangered Jemez Mountains salamander (Plethodon neomexicanus). Endemic to New Mexico’s Jemez Mountains, including Valles Caldera National Preserve and Santa Fe National Forest, this species faces severe threats from large, high-severity wildfires that have decimated populations and degraded habitat. While reintroducing fire through fuel treatments aims to reduce catastrophic risks, the salamander’s response to these treatments and ongoing climate change is unknown. This research seeks to understand how these factors affect salamander demography and habitat, providing critical data to guide conservation and forest management for this vulnerable species.
Opportunity ID: 345617
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | G23AS00205 |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit |
| Opportunity Category: | Discretionary |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | – |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Cooperative Agreement |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Science and Technology and other Research and Development |
| Category Explanation: | – |
| Expected Number of Awards: | – |
| Assistance Listings: | 15.808 — U.S. Geological Survey Research and Data Collection |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | No |
| Version: | Synopsis 1 |
| Posted Date: | Jan 26, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Jan 26, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 27, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Feb 27, 2023 Electronically submitted applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m., ET, on the listed application due date. |
| Archive Date: | – |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | – |
| Award Ceiling: | $52,965 |
| Award Floor: | $0 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Others (see text field entitled “Additional Information on Eligibility” for clarification) |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | This financial assistance opportunity is being issued under a Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. CESU’s are partnerships that provide research, technical assistance, and education. Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program. |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | Geological Survey |
| Description: | The U.S. Geological Survey, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center (NOROCK), in collaboration with the Alaska Science Center (ASC), is offering a funding opportunity to study the effects of wildfires, forest structure and composition, and fuel treatments on demography and habitat characteristics of Plethodon neomexicanus (Jemez Mountains salamander, hereafter, PLNE) in the Jemez Mountains of north-central New Mexico, including the Valles Caldera National Preserve (VALL) and identified critical habitat zones in the neighboring USDA Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF). The Jemez Mountains salamander is a federally listed (USFWS Endangered, 2013) species endemic to the Jemez Mountains; this species spends much of its life belowground but exhibits periods of surface activity associated with reproduction and foraging. Recent large, high-severity wildfires that are not in alignment with natural fire regimes have been identified as the greatest threat to the species, with ~65% of all historic locations burned in recent wildfires, leading to rapid population decline. Little research has been conducted on fire effects on salamanders, but the few studies that exist point to wildfires degrading habitat by altering the thermal and moisture conditions. VALL and SFNF are working to reintroduce fire into forested ecosystems in the Jemez Mountains in a way that reduces the risk of catastrophic wildfires but protects important micro- and macrohabitat features for PLNE; however, it is unknown how the species will respond to fuel reduction treatments and ongoing changes in climate and fire regimes. |
| Link to Additional Information: | – |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact:
FAITH GRAVES
fgraves@usgs.gov Email:fgraves@usgs.gov |
Version History
| Version | Modification Description | Updated Date |
|---|---|---|
Related Documents
Folder 345617 Full Announcement-Full Announcement -> FUNDING OPPORTUNITY.pdf
Packages
| Agency Contact Information: | FAITH GRAVES fgraves@usgs.gov Email: fgraves@usgs.gov |
| Who Can Apply: | Organization Applicants |
| Assistance Listing Number | Competition ID | Competition Title | Opportunity Package ID | Opening Date | Closing Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15.808 | G23AS00205 | Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | PKG00279461 | Jan 26, 2023 | Feb 27, 2023 | View |
Package 1
Mandatory forms
345617 SF424_4_0-4.0.pdf
345617 ProjectNarrativeAttachments_1_2-1.2.pdf
345617 SF424A-1.0.pdf
345617 SF424B-1.1.pdf