Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The University of Texas at El Paso received a $291,006 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology (CFDA 47.074) effective September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. This collaborative research initiative investigates how belowground resource partitioning—specifically tree root structure, traits, and associated microbial communities—contributes to enhanced ecosystem productivity and nutrient cycling in mixed-species forests compared to monocultures. The project employs three complementary methodological approaches to measure these processes directly: state-of-the-art belowground imaging tools such as ground-penetrating radar to map root distributions; isotopic tracers to quantify differential water and nitrogen uptake among tree species; and root morphological trait measurements combined with genetic identification of mycorrhizal fungi. The research leverages North America's longest-running large-scale forest biodiversity experiment to generate empirical data on complementary resource use and ecosystem function relationships.

In addition to advancing fundamental understanding of forest productivity mechanisms, the grant supports substantial workforce development and public engagement products. The award funds training for undergraduate interns, graduate students, and a postdoctoral researcher in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Educational deliverables include interpretive exhibits, K-12 curriculum development in partnership with the Smithsonian Learning Lab, and a workshop for forest restoration practitioners. These outputs address both the scientific knowledge gaps regarding belowground biodiversity's role in forest ecosystem function and the practical application of findings to inform reforestation strategies and forest management practices.