Proposals must focus on terrestrial systems in the mid-Atlantic area. Description Ecologists have learned an extensive amount about ecosystems and how they function by long-term studies at individual locations. The primary issue is the need to determine how broadly applicable the results of studies at these individual sites might be. Some knowledge of the important system drivers at the site is needed along with a knowledge of how those drivers are distributed over broader geographic areas containing apparently similar types of systems. Unfortunately, few examples exist which demonstrate how these different approaches and tools can be linked carefully to provide a more comprehensive assessment of a geographic region.
Awards are subject to the availability of funds.
Profit-making firms and other federal agencies are not eligible to receive assistance from EPA under this program. Federal employees may cooperate or collaborate with eligible applicants within the limits imposed by applicable legislation and regulations. An exception may occur when the principal investigator's institution subcontracts to a federal agency to purchase unique supplies or services unavailable in the private sector. Examples are purchase of satellite data, census data tapes, chemical reference standards, unique analyses not available elsewhere, etc. A written justification for such federal involvement must be included in the application, along with an assurance from the federal agency which commits it to supply the specified service.