Research will assess ecological benefits of living shorelines, comparing them to natural shorelines to create a guide for effective shoreline stabilization.
Engineer Research and Development Center has archived this opportunity.
Funder: Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC)
Due Dates: February 6, 2025 (Application Deadline) | March 8, 2025 (Archive Date)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 total funding; 1 award expected; cooperative agreement
Summary: Funding supports applied field research to evaluate and compare ecological functions of living shorelines versus natural shorelines, aiming to develop guidance for shoreline stabilization.
Key Information: Restricted to non-federal partners of the Chesapeake Watershed Cooperative Ecosystems Studies Unit (CESU). No cost sharing required.
This grant opportunity from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) supports applied field research focused on ecological functions at living shoreline installations. The research aims to:
Objective 1: Collaborate with ERDC researchers to develop and apply both qualitative and quantitative metrics to evaluate ecological functions such as biomass productivity, sediment accumulation, and habitat provisioning within and adjacent to living shoreline and natural shoreline sites. Results will be disseminated through yearly reports and/or peer-reviewed publications.
Objective 2: Conduct comparative analyses of physical parameters, design specifications, and ecological functions between living shoreline and natural shoreline sites. The findings will inform the creation of a living shoreline guidance document to assist landowners and natural resource managers in making informed decisions about shoreline stabilization strategies.
This research supports the broader goal of understanding and enhancing shoreline stabilization methods that balance ecological benefits with engineering needs.