Morphodynamics of a restored foredune at Lanphere Dunes, Humboldt Bay NWR, CA, and the potential for increased ecosystem resilience based on species composition and structure

Funds under this award are to be used to conduct research and analysis of dune ecology, management, and resiliency to effects of climate change. In order to achieve this, the recipient will be required to make several visits to the study area and work with staff on survey locations and methodology. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be substantially involved in projects under this funding opportunity. The refuge will take a lead in interacting and coordinating with staff from Arizona State University (ASU). Development of the survey design and analytical procedures will be a collaborative process with ASU staff, bringing their expertise in natural resource data analysis and combining it with the FWS understanding of site conditions, capacity constraints, and resource limitations. Both ASU and FWS staff will evaluate results from each task to provide feedback to improve protocol elements. Proposed start date is July 1, 2016 with the project expected to last through December of 2018. This award is made under the Authority of Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956, as amended, 16 U.S.C. (742f (a)(4).