There is widespread concern about biodiversity declines across all organizational levels, particularly given that human actions may be driving a mass extinction event comparable to those seen in the geological record. As a result, the research community is seeking tools to understand the condition of biodiversity and how it is changing over time. To address biodiversity loss as a global issue requires us to integrate research efforts across multiple spatial and temporal scales and observe biodiversity at all of its levels of organization.
To catalyze progress in our understanding of biodiversity patterns, processes, and change, the NASA Biodiversity Program is soliciting proposals in conjunction with the National Science Foundation (NSF) Dimensions of Biodiversity Program for FY 2012. Through Dimensions of Biodiversity, NSF seeks to transform how we describe and understand the scope and role of life on Earth.
While NSF typically supports research at fine to coarser spatial scales, NASA, with its use of satellite imagery, generally supports research at coarse to finer scales. There is consequently strong complementarity in the research funded by the two agencies. This NASA-NSF partnership promotes the use of satellite remote sensing within the broad context of efforts at NSF to understand biodiversity and how it is changing across multiple dimensions and spatial scales.
Proposals are due April 10, 2012, to the National Science Foundation (NSF). Please see the following URL for additional information about this joint solicitation and for instructions for NSF proposal submission: http://tinyurl.com/6pwyzzw
Questions concerning Biodiversity may be addressed to Woody Turner at Woody.Turner@nasa.gov or (202) 358-1662.