Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Colorado Plateau Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

The USGS Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner to provide financial assistance for research developing strategies for effectively managing natural resources in dryland regions in the context of drought.  Objective Changing climate and disturbances are transforming ecosystems, particularly in drylands of the western U.S.  Slowing or reversing these transformations through restoration is a pressing ecological challenge in the 21st century.  In the western U.S, the size and cost of restoration treatments by federal agencies is steadily growing; seeding efforts cover >6 million hectares in recent decades.  However, restoration in drylands is notoriously difficult because variable, and prevailing dry, conditions impede seed establishment when seeds are sowed. This challenge is likely to grow under climate change.  This project will address the following objectives Synthesize the state of knowledge about regeneration (germination and establishment) requirements for high-priority focal plant species. Characterize geographic patterns and future climate-driven shifts in the potential for plant establishment from seed (e.g. frequency of success).