The National Science Foundation (NSF) Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) awarded a $1,275,000 Project Grant to New Mexico State University (NMSU) to study the shift from grasslands to shrublands in drylands of the Southwestern United States. The 6-year project, entitled "LTER: ADVANCING ECOLOGICAL UNDERSTANDING OF DRYLANDS THROUGH INTEGRATED RESEARCH AT THE JORNADA BASIN (JRN-8)," aims to further understand the drivers and impacts of this ecosystem transition, including how weather, land management, erosion, and species interactions influence the loss of grasslands. In addition to the planned research, the project will continue successful K-12 education programs that reach thousands of students and teachers annually, as well as collaborations with land managers to provide information and build capacity for evidence-based decision making. The award, which began on March 15, 2025, supports NMSU's role as the prime grantee, including potential subawards to other institutions as part of the integrated research effort.
Generated 3/4/25, 8:12 AM