E-rise: center for grassland ecosystem forecasting

The National Science Foundation Office of Integrative Activities awarded the University of Oklahoma $5.972 million on September 1, 2026, under the Integrative Activities program (CFDA 47.083) to establish and operate the Center for Grassland Ecosystem Forecasting.

The Center will advance ecological forecasting and decision support for grassland management across Oklahoma by integrating observations with diagnostic, prognostic, and deep learning models to predict spatial-temporal dynamics of grassland primary productivity, biomass, and soil carbon. Deliverables include establishing in-situ grassland and tree-encroached grassland observatories for long-term soil, microbe, plant, and atmosphere research; developing a statewide grassland observatory for regional monitoring; creating interactive grassland digital twins; and deploying a cyberinfrastructure-enabled decision support theater. The Center will also build a skilled scientific workforce through comprehensive workforce development activities.

The University of Oklahoma leads the effort with Oklahoma State University, the Noble Research Institute, and East Central University as collaborating partners. The Oklahoma Conservation Commission, the USDA ARS Oklahoma and Central Plains Agricultural Research Center, and the Pawnee Nation College provide advisory support.

Place of performance is Norman, Oklahoma. The award period runs through August 31, 2030.

Abstract

The center for grassland ecosystem forecasting (cgef) is aimed at advancing the science, management, and conservation of grassland ecosystems. Grasslands cover approximately 40% of earth?s land surface and underpin food and economic security. In oklahoma, these working lands span 17 million acres and support a multibillion-dollar livestock industry. Centered on the theme of adaptive ecosystem forecasting, the cgef will advance an emerging predictive science so that the shifting conditions of grasslands can be anticipated as well as monitored. Integrating ecology, soil and plant science, microbiology, geography, atmospheric science, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence, the center will generate actionable forecasts and deliver decision support tools, while building a skilled scientific workforce. The university of oklahoma will lead this effort with oklahoma state university, the noble research institute, and east central university. The oklahoma conservation commission, the USDA ARS oklahoma and central plains agricultural research center, and the pawnee nation college will provide advisory support. The cgef will advance ecological forecasting towards operational domains across oklahoma?s grasslands. Cgef will combine multi-scale, integrated observations with diagnostic, prognostic, and deep learning models to accurately understand and predict the spatial-temporal dynamics of grassland primary productivity, biomass, and soil carbon. Cgef will improve research capabilities by: (1) establishing in-situ grassland observatory and tree-encroached grassland observatory for long-term research of soil, microbe, plant, and atmosphere, (2) developing a state-wide grassland observatory for regional monitoring, (3) creating interactive grassland digital twins, and (4) deploying a cyberinfrastructure-enabled decision support theater. These infrastructure enhancements will integrate with comprehensive workforce development to strengthen oklahoma?s stem capacity and competitiveness. By supporting academic researchers, establishing cross-disciplinary curricula, and providing practitioner training, cgef will cultivate a highly skilled workforce. Through robust public-private partnerships and a growing community of practice, cgef will ensure durable outcomes and position oklahoma as a global leader in grassland forecasting, conservation, and management. This project is supported by the epscor research infrastructure improvement program: epscor research incubators for stem excellence (e-rise). E-rise supports the development of sustainable research infrastructure and capacity in epscor jurisdictions through collaborative, hypothesis-driven, or problem-driven research and workforce development to improve competitiveness in selected stem fields. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are planned for this award.