Grants / Department of Defense / Engineer Research and Development Center

W81EWF-23-SOI-0014: LandCart Expansion for Global Range Attributes

Closed Closed August 14, 2023 Opportunity W81EWF-23-SOI-0014 ☆ Save

This grant is closed. A newer notice from the same program is open now: ERDC Broad Agency Announcement (W912HZ26S0001). Status: Closes January 1, 2027 (55 days left). It is in our archive of Engineer Research and Development Center notices from 2023.

• Award ceiling$60,000
• Total funding$360,000
• Expected awards1
• Cost sharingNot required
• Funding typeCooperative Agreement

Key dates

Who can apply

This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.

• Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

This opportunity is restricted to non-federal partners of the Californian Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU).Disclosures of current and pending support made in this application may render an applicant ineligible for funding. Prior to award and throughout the period of performance, ERDC may continue to request updated continuing and pending support information, which will be reviewed and may result in discontinuation of funding. Religious organizations are entitled to compete on equal footing with secular organizations for Federal financial assistance as described in E.O. 13798, “Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty.”

Is this a realistic fit?

• Past Basic, Applied, and Advanced Research in Science and Engineering awards averaged $1.1 million; this notice allows up to $60,000 per award.
• Most of the program's money (69% over five years) went to colleges and universities.
• No cost sharing or match is required.

What the grant funds

ERDC seeks applications for an opportunity to enter into a cooperative agreement for: Global Rangeland Attribute Model. A highly functional, highly accurate rangeland attribute model, LandCart, has been developed for the western United States using a significant and standardized rangeland data set. The overall goal of this agreement is to expand a LandCart type of predictive algorithm to global rangelands. As global rangelands lack the level and quality of data that were available for LandCart development, the first step is determining if the data that exists can be utilized in a manner that is conducive to development of rangeland attribute algorithms. If it is, the next step is utilizing this and supplemental data to develop a global rangeland attribute model. Once a model is completed, validation and model improvements will be required. Finally, model delivery and reporting will ensure technology transfer. Rangeland landscapes cover approximately 50% of Earth’s land surface. Knowledge of rangeland attributes at a global scale is important for ecosystem sustainment and sustainable use. The ability to remotely predict these attributes is paramount to planning and management of these critical environments. Spatial and temporal patterns of biomass and cover have been estimated for decades using satellite imagery, which allows for the examination of larger areas with limited field work and the ability to reproduce outputs. Biomass, cover, and height can be estimated or directly measured in the field, but it is impractical for managers to carry out field sampling across extensive rangeland systems, often covering tens of thousands of hectares or more, with adequate temporal frequency and spatial resolution to capture the spatiotemporal heterogeneity that commonly exists across rangeland landscapes. Remote sensing-based methods to produce estimates of rangeland properties at varying scales would be highly desirable to facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the spatial and temporal trends in rangeland condition. However, global satellite-based predictions applicable to rangeland vegetation properties remain sparse. This new project seeks to expand existing capabilities in the western United States to predict rangeland attributes at a global scale. A highly functional, highly accurate rangeland attribute model, LandCart, has been developed for the western United States using a significant and standardized rangeland data set.

Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

Applying now

This notice no longer takes applications. Apply under the newer notice, W912HZ26S0001, which is open now.

The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.