Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Lakes Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit | G22AS00275

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is a U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) cooperative agreement that funds research focused on predicting where future freshwater invasive (exotic) species introductions are most likely to occur.

What is the main goal of the project?

The core goal is to support an invasion hotspot analysis that helps agencies prioritize prevention, early detection, and management by identifying watersheds and aquatic environments where introductions are more likely.

Why does the opportunity focus on "hotspots"?

The project is based on the premise that invasions are not random. Certain locations become hotspots due to patterns of human activity (such as recreation and access) and landscape conditions (such as intensive land use) that increase the chances a non-native species will be transported, introduced, and able to establish.

What geographic area does the analysis need to cover?

The funded work is expected to cover a very broad geography: the contiguous United States, Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. island territories.

What types of environments are considered higher risk in this opportunity?

The opportunity highlights environments with conditions that tend to increase invasion likelihood, including:

• Watersheds with high levels of public access and recreation (for example, heavily used boat launches and popular recreational waterbodies)
• Areas characterized by intensive or concentrated land uses, such as urban landscapes
• Places with high human population density

Does the opportunity expect a single factor to explain invasion risk?

No. It specifically notes that risk is often driven by interactions among factors (for example, how recreation pressure and land use intensity combine), not just one variable in isolation.

What is an "invasion hotspot analysis" in the context of this project?

In this context, it refers to a defensible, data-driven approach to ranking or mapping where freshwater invasive species introductions are more likely, based on human use patterns and landscape conditions across the specified U.S. geography.

What kind of outputs is the project intended to produce?

Based on the description, the project is intended to produce actionable, defensible, data-driven rankings or maps that identify invasion-prone watersheds and environments so limited resources can be targeted where they are likely to prevent or reduce impacts.

How will the results be used by agencies and managers?

The results are meant to support practical decisions such as where to focus surveillance, outreach, prevention measures, early detection, and rapid response planning to achieve the greatest benefit.

Is the project focused only on species that are already established?

No. A notable feature is the forward-looking emphasis on "watch list" species identified through horizon scanning, rather than focusing only on species that are already established.

What are "watch list" species in this opportunity?

"Watch list" species are species identified through horizon scanning and screening efforts as potential future invasive threats, often linked to trade and movement pathways. The opportunity mentions examples such as lists developed through Organisms in Trade, Transportation Pathway, and other regional or state-level screening initiatives.

Why does the opportunity emphasize horizon scanning and watch lists?

The emphasis signals that the project is intended to anticipate emerging threats tied to trade and transportation pathways, helping managers stay ahead of potential new introductions instead of only reacting to known invasions.

What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity using a cooperative agreement.

What does "cooperative agreement" imply for this project?

The description indicates that a cooperative agreement generally implies substantial involvement or collaboration by USGS during the project, rather than a fully hands-off grant structure.

What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 15.808.

What is the opportunity number?

The opportunity number is G22AS00275.

When was the opportunity created and what was the original closing date?

The opportunity was created on 2022-03-23 and had an original closing date of 2022-04-23.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to participating partners in the Great Lakes Northern Forests Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU).

What is the CESU connection and why does it matter for eligibility?

The opportunity is tailored to the CESU program structure, which is described as a formal partnership mechanism designed to deliver research, technical assistance, and education in support of public land and natural resource management. Because of that structure, applicants must be partners in the specified CESU (Great Lakes Northern Forests CESU).

What problem is the project trying to solve for resource managers?

The project addresses the challenge of limited resources by helping managers identify where prevention and early detection efforts are most likely to reduce or avoid impacts from future freshwater invasive species introductions.

How does the opportunity describe the drivers of invasive species introductions?

It describes introductions as shaped by a mix of human activity patterns and landscape conditions that influence transport, introduction, and establishment, with special attention to recreation/public access, urbanization, and population density.

Does this opportunity include U.S. territories?

Yes. The specified geography includes U.S. island territories in addition to the contiguous U.S., Alaska, and Hawaii.