Project Grant 2330772

The National Science Foundation awarded a $300,000 Project Grant to the University of Montana to conduct research on the ecological impacts of biodiversity loss and climate change in tropical rainforests. Spanning from August 2024 to July 2028, the study aims to understand how the loss of a key mammal species, the bearded pig, affects forest regeneration, carbon storage, and the abundance of other animals in the ecosystem.

The research has three main objectives: 1) assessing how the loss of bearded pigs impacts the survival and growth of tree seedlings, 2) determining the combined effects of pig loss and climate change on forest carbon storage over time, and 3) ascertaining how the absence of pigs affects the abundance of other important forest animals. The project will employ field observations, experiments, and modeling to elucidate these ecological relationships. Research findings will be disseminated to conservation organizations and policymakers, and outreach materials will be developed to educate the public and K-12 students on ecosystem functions and global changes.

This award is funded through the NSF Integrative Activities (CFDA 47.083) program, which supports research and infrastructure to enhance the competitiveness of the U.S. STEM enterprise and broaden participation in these fields. No subawards are planned for this grant.