NOTICE OF INTENT: Restoring Biotic Diversity in Lehmann Lovegrass Dominated Grasslands: Fertile Islands | P18AS00421

Opportunity Information: Apply for P18AS00421

The Notice of Intent titled "Restoring Biotic Diversity in Lehmann Lovegrass Dominated Grasslands: Fertile Islands" (Funding Opportunity Number P18AS00421) is a National Park Service research and management-focused grant opportunity under the U.S. Department of the Interior. Issued on July 10, 2018, with an original closing date of July 20, 2018, it was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement, meaning the recipient would be expected to work closely with the National Park Service during project planning, implementation, and reporting. The program sits within the natural resources activity category (CFDA 15.945) and anticipated making a single award with a maximum funding level (award ceiling) of $39,935. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," with details to be clarified in the full eligibility text associated with the notice.

The core purpose of the project is to identify practical, evidence-based ways to improve native biodiversity in grasslands that have been heavily invaded and dominated by Lehmann lovegrass (Eragrostis lehmanniana), a non-native species that has proven difficult to remove using conventional eradication techniques. Because past approaches aimed at outright eradication have been largely unsuccessful, the opportunity emphasizes a more holistic restoration strategy. Instead of trying to treat entire landscapes uniformly, the project focuses on intensively managing smaller patches known as "fertile islands" - localized areas that tend to have higher soil fertility, more organic matter, and better microclimatic conditions, which can potentially give native plants a better chance to establish and compete.

The research design is explicitly experimental and is intended to produce results that can guide on-the-ground management decisions. The project tests the "fertile island" approach using a nested, randomized, factorial design at two separate National Park Service units in southeastern Arizona: Coronado National Memorial and Chiricahua National Monument. By running the same structured experiment across two locations, the study can evaluate whether results are consistent across different site conditions, which strengthens the usefulness of the findings for broader management application.

Three sets of treatments are combined to evaluate which mix of actions is most likely to increase native plant establishment and/or reduce Lehmann lovegrass abundance. First, there are two Lehmann lovegrass management treatments: hand pulling versus no action. Second, there are three seeding treatments: broadcast seeding (spreading seed over the plot surface), pelletized seed (seed delivered in pellet form, typically intended to improve handling, seed-soil contact, and moisture retention), and no seeding. Third, there are three soil surface or microhabitat amendment treatments: pine mulch, Lehmann thatch, and no amendment. The factorial structure means these treatments can be combined in multiple ways, allowing managers to see not only whether each action helps on its own, but also whether certain combinations work better or worse together (for example, whether seeding only works if mulch is added, or whether hand pulling is only beneficial when followed by seeding).

Monitoring is a required component and is aimed at tracking the establishment and persistence of both native species and Lehmann lovegrass within the treated plots. In practice, this implies repeated observations over time to measure outcomes like native plant emergence, survival, cover, or species richness, alongside measures of lovegrass presence and dominance. The intended end product is management-relevant evidence showing which, if any, of these techniques yields measurable gains in native plant diversity and/or meaningful reductions in Lehmann lovegrass in areas where it currently dominates. In short, the opportunity is designed to move beyond trial-and-error control efforts and toward a tested restoration toolkit for park managers dealing with lovegrass-invaded grasslands.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NOTICE OF INTENT: Restoring Biotic Diversity in Lehmann Lovegrass Dominated Grasslands: Fertile Islands" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Jul 10, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 20, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $39,935.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

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