15.945: cooperative research and training programs of the national park system cesu networkprogramming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research,…

Florida International University received $186,821 under Cooperative Research and Training Programs – Resources of the National Park System (CFDA 15.945) from the National Park Service, with an award date of October 1, 2025 and completion date of December 31, 2027. The primary deliverable is the development and calibration of satellite-based monitoring algorithms to detect harmful algae blooms (HABs) in Florida Bay, Everglades National Park. The project will utilize field data to create algorithms capable of analyzing satellite imagery and field observations to enable efficient HAB monitoring, thereby reducing dependence on labor-intensive manual monitoring methods and generating significant cost savings for resource management activities.

The project addresses a critical resource management challenge in the Everglades, where harmful algae blooms have threatened aquatic ecosystems for nearly a decade with adverse effects on plant and animal life and economic impacts to recreational fisheries and ecotourism. The final algorithmic system will serve as a scalable monitoring tool for state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education, and the general public. This cooperative agreement exemplifies the CFDA 15.945 program's mission to facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products supporting science-based management of the National Park System across multiple geographic regions.

15.945: cooperative research and training programs of the national park system cesu networkprogramming supports a comprehensive network of cooperative study units to facilitate cooperative research, technical assistance, education, and training to inform science-based management of the national park system. The study units facilitate multi-disciplinary science and integrated information products across multiple geographic regions of the national park system. This project will use field data to develop and calibrate a new system of using satellite technology to monitor harmful algae blooms in florida BAY. Harmful algae blooms have threatened aquatic ecosystems in everglades national park for nearly a decade, adversely affecting plant and animal life and impacting the economic engines of recreational fisheries and ecotourism. The final deliverable will be algorithms that analyze satellite and field data to enable efficient monitoring of harmful algae reducing reliance on labor-intensive methods and resulting in significant cost savings.beneficiaries include state and local governments, federally recognized indian tribal governments, public private nonprofit organizations, nonprofit institutions of higher education, and the general public.