Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

Background
The U.S. Geological Survey Southwest Biological Science Center (SBSC) is offering a funding opportunity to a CESU partner for research to understand the effects of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, vegetation treatments, and additional solar project management activities affect plant community composition at the Gemini Solar Project. The Gemini Solar Project was constructed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the northeastern portion of the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas, NV.

Grant Details
The objective of this opportunity is to use existing plant, soil, and microclimate data collected at the Gemini Solar Project to address how solar PV panels, vegetation treatments and other management activities affect plant community composition. The study will relate changes in microclimate under and between panels, and outside the facility, and treated versus untreated areas to species abundance, richness, diversity, turnover, rank abundance, community stability, species-area relationships, and related metrics. The CESU Partner will conduct an analysis of the objective and submit a peer-reviewed journal article that presents the results.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible recipients must be a participating partner of the Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) Program.

Period of Performance
It is anticipated that one award will be made with one base year and three renewal years. Funding in the amount of $39,657 is available for FY 2024. Additional funding will be based upon satisfactory progress and the availability of funding.

Grant Value
Additional funding will be based upon satisfactory progress and the availability of funding.

Place of Performance
The Gemini Solar Project was constructed on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in the northeastern portion of the Mojave Desert near Las Vegas, NV.