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Research Awards and Grants (July 2022)

August 1, 2022

Each month College of Natural Resources faculty receive awards and grants from various federal, state, and nongovernmental agencies in support of their research. This report recognizes the faculty who received funding in July 2022.

Automated Host Mapping Tool for Spread Modeling and Field Operations Planning

  • PI: Meentemeyer, Ross Kendall
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS)
  • Awarded Amount: $115,954.00 

Abstract:  The primary purpose of this agreement is to develop algorithms and ensemble predictions that 1) fully quantify uncertainty in host map distributions, 2) are continuously updated as new data sources become available, 3) have full accuracy statistics, and 4) are fully open-source and able to be used and built on by other researchers and analysts. These algorithms will be tested on host species across 3 use types: annual crop, perennial crop, and forest host. By examining hosts across a wide range of crop and forest hosts we can ensure that the algorithms and ensembles are generalized enough to be used beyond the specified species examined during the project. This is the second year of the project.

Adding Economic Optimization Modules to the Eradication Analysis & Decision Support Tool

  • PI: Jones, Christopher Michael
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS)
  • Awarded Amount: $125,866.00 

Abstract:  The primary purpose of this agreement is to develop the eRADS (eradication analysis and decision support) tool and the algorithms and workflow to help evaluate the feasibility of entering an eradication or containment program following a new pest incursion and to suggest effective strategies for managing the new pest. Specifically focused on integrating spatial economic models into the framework.

Coupling Pest and Pathogen Spread and  SAFARIS Phenological Forecast with Tangible Landscape Visualization

  • PI: Jones, Christopher Michael
  • Direct Sponsor Name:  US Dept. of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS)
  • Amount Awarded: $137,446.00 

Abstract: The goal of this proposal is to build economic cost benefit analysis into spread model treatment scenarios. We will do this by adding an economic module and allow for multiple hosts with different values and abilities to increase the spread of the pest.

Examining Diverse Management Objectives and Broadening Stakeholder Engagement for Climate Adaptation Planning of Historic Structures Within the National Park System

  • PI: Seekamp, Erin Lynn
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Awarded Amount: $399,053.00 

Abstract: This project seeks to enhance the stewardship of historic buildings vulnerable to climate change impacts. As sea level rise and storm-related flooding and erosion threaten our nation’s cultural heritage, there is a critical need to ensure that adaptation decisions, including what cultural resources will be let go, are transparent and informed by the opinion of people whose heritage is tied to those resources. This project aims to enhance a decision support framework designed for adaptation planning by the National Park Service at coastal parks, with Cape Lookout National Seashore being selected as the study site. The decision support framework, called the Optimal Preservation (OptiPres) Model, enables managers to consider complex tradeoffs during a 30-year planning period under different annual budget scenarios. However, the OptiPres Model is currently limited in that it only currently addresses one management objective (that is, maximizing the resource value of buildings retained across the 30-year planning period), when multiple management objectives drive decision making (for example, visitor safety and enjoyment, and cost efficiency of actions). This project will include ongoing engagement with partner organizations affiliated with two historic districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places, as well as the North Carolina Historic Preservation Office staff and National Park Service staff, to broaden the inclusion of stakeholder values and preferences into the OptiPres Model. Integration of different sequencing of hurricane events, associated damage to historic buildings, and different strategies for recovery and adaptation into the OptiPres Model will enhance its utility and identify adaptation actions for historical structures to best prepare and recover from climate extreme events. Project results will enhance National Park Service managers’ understanding of the complex tradeoffs that need to be made when funding for adaptation is limited.

Play Potential and Retention Value of Park and Playspace Attributes

  • PI: Hipp, James A.
  • Direct Sponsor Name: University of Southern Denmark
  • Awarded Amount: $89,763.00 

Abstract:   Play is essential to developing physical and cognitive health for children. Children’s free play appears to be motivated by play environments, such as playgrounds and outdoor recreational settings. Understanding behaviors in playspaces (e.g., where; how using specific spaces and equipment; duration; and variations across groups) will improve design, layout, programming, and management to encourage diversity of play and hopefully a lifelong love and enjoyment of play and the outdoors across our diverse communities. It is currently challenging to analyze play patterns as children’s free play is spontaneous, creative, interactive, and changes over time and across spaces. Traditionally, play episodes were observed and annotated through behavior mapping based on activity types and start and end times of entering a designated play area (Luchs & Fikus, 2013; Sumiya & Nonaka, 2021). This approach is labor-intensive, records activities in play areas designated by researchers, and is often limited to one observation at a time. Wearable and quantitative approaches have been adopted to investigate children’s play patterns using accelerometers and global positioning system (GPS) technology. Our team has started to spatially-aggregate activity points overlaid with distinct playground playspaces (e.g., swing bay; slide) to demonstrate how children’s activity differs across these areas. We have also conducted a hotspot analysis to identify play areas where children tend to be more physically active (i.e., clustering of high intensity activity) compared to less physically active (i.e., clustering of low intensity, or no activity), however this method excludes duration from the clustering analysis. These initial data efforts have revealed a set of exploratory questions and aims, such as duration of play per space, individual, family, and group differences (e.g., sibling pair; gender differences), and how patterns change across time of day, week, season, and across age groups. With recent updates to density-based clustering methods, which identifies groups of points that cluster together in space and time, we have the opportunity to systematically identify play episodes through an unsupervised machine learning approach. This approach could provide valuable information for practitioners by identifying and mapping natural play patterns, better characterizing playspace and amenity use, and correlating play episodes and potential with specific structures, natural elements, social aspects, and layouts of playspaces.  

AI-Enabled Hyperspectral Imaging Augmented with Multi-Sensory Information for Rapid/Real-time Analysis of Non-Recyclable Heterogeneous MSW for Conversion to Energy

  • PI: Pal, Lokendra 
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Energy (DOE) – Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)
  • Amount Awarded: $32,626.00 

Abstract: This project will focus on rapid/real-time analysis of domestic heterogeneous municipal biomass waste utilizing AI-Enabled Hyperspectral Imaging for developing conversion ready feedstock into cost effective and sustainable biofuel for selling price under $2.50 per gallon gasoline equivalent (GGE) by 2030. Municipal solid waste (MSW) is considered as an abundant potential source for biomass. This biomass, if used as a feedstock for fuel conversion operation will promote the sustainable fuel production and lower the prices. The heterogeneity of the MSW based on locations and time period can affect the biofuels or bioproducts. Therefore, the characterization of the MSW feedstock at macro and microlevel in terms of chemical and physical composition, at different speeds of conveyor system, at different times and collection sites will be studied.

Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) CORE Research Project

  • PI: Gonzalez, Ronalds Wilfredo
  • Direct Sponsor Name: NCSU Consortiumon Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI)
  • Awarded Amount: $251,918.00 

Abstract: The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.

SAFI Consortium Administrative Account

  • PI: Gonzalez, Ronalds Wilfredo
  • Direct Sponsor Name: NCSU Consortiumon Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI)
  • Awarded Amount: $5,000.00 

Abstract: The purpose of the Consortium on Sustainable and Alternative Fibers Initiative (SAFI) is to develop fundamental and applied research on the use of alternative and sustainable fibers for the manufacturing of market pulp, hygiene products and nonwovens. The idea for SAFI has grown out of societal needs for alternative yet sustainable materials. SAFI will study the potential of alternative fibers based on technical (performance), sustainable and economic principles.

Energy, Biomass and Carbon Project, SOFAC Core research project

  • PI: Baker, Justin Scott
  • Direct Sponsor Name: Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium (SOFAC)
  • Awarded Amount: $1,402,686.00 

Abstract: The Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium (SOFAC) will develop forest sector market models for application to forest resource assessments in the South, U.S., and the World. SOFAC will integrate currently available forest resource data from the USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program and economic theory to model timber supply and demand in the South by local area. SOFAC economic models will allow use of exogenous or endogenous inputs about supply, demand, land use change, and landowner behavior in the analysis of timber and forest land markets and management. SOFAC modelers and members will be able to use the SOFAC suite of models and research to simultaneously project timber inventory, supply, and prices for a variety of regions and a variety of timber products across the South, the U.S., and the World. SOFAC will foster discussion among modelers and members about the appropriate inputs and assumptions in forest projection models and employ these in building timber supply models and timber supply scenarios that represent likely conditions.  SOFAC will continue cooperative university-industry-public agency cooperation in southern and national forest sector economic modeling. SOFAC will enhance graduate instruction in forest economics and modeling in the South. 

Gopher Tortoise Habitat – Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Monitoring

  • PI: Forrester, Jodi A.
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture – Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA NRCS)
  • Awarded Amount: $150,000.00 

Abstract: In this study we propose to evaluate forest establishment and maintenance practices implemented as part of the Longleaf Pine Initiative and Working Lands for Wildlife. Sites will be chosen to represent a range of longleaf pine forest ages and planting densities, including seedling planting rates recommended for the establishment of gopher tortoise habitat (450-600 per acre) and rates recommended for timber and/or pine straw production (600-900 per acre). We will measure forest condition and habitat quality to assess if a threshold exists for balancing habitat and timber quality. The results will be used to quantify the benefit of NRCS past conservation efforts and to estimate the potential impact of future work across the gopher tortoise range. 

Establishing and Assessing Biological Control Agents of Emerald Ash Borer in NC

  • PI: Oten, Kelly Lynn Felderhoff
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS)
  • Awarded Amount: $64,832.00 

Abstract: Establishment of biocontrol agents in Western NC where species acclimated to cooler climates might be more successful, confirming emerald ash borer phenology models for overwintering stages, recovery attempts where parasitoids have been released but emerald ash borer populations have declined.

Efficacy of Bluefume (HCN) Fumigation in Eradicating Elongate Hemlock Scale on Christmas Trees

  • PI: Jetton, Robert M
  • Direct Sponsor Name: Christmas Tree Promotion Board
  • Awarded Amount: $2,587.00 

Abstract: In collaboration with scientists at North Carolina State University and USDA ARS, scientists at Washington State University will utilize detached branches to determine the potential effectiveness of postharvest fumigation treatments with Bluefume (HCN) in killing elongated hemlock scale (EHS) life stages on infested Fraser fir and determine the effects of HCN fumigation on the postharvest quality of non-infested commonly-grown Christmas tree species,such as balsam fir, Canaan fir, Fraser fir, grand fir, noble fir, Nordmann fir, Turkish fir, Trojan fir, and Douglas-fir). Branches will be fumigated at the USDA ARS Postharvest facility in CA. Treatments will consist of 5 rates of HCN plus a non-fumigated control. Each treatment will be replicated 3 times with 3 branches per replication. Following fumigation, the viability of EHS life stages on infested branches will be assessed. Uninfested branches from the commonly grown species will be transported and displayed in a temperature-controlled room to determine if the fumigation treatments have any adverse effects on postharvest quality and needle retention.

Improving Support for Regional Conservation Efforts in the SEAFWA Region

  • PI: Peterson, Nils 
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Geological Survey (USGS)
  • Awarded Amount: $56,046.00 

Abstract: Achieving the Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy (SECAS) goal of a 10% improvement in health, function, and connectivity in southeastern ecosystems by 2060  requires regional conservation efforts. Regional science based conservation partnerships are critical for AFWA goals (e.g., President’s task force report), national responses to SWAP revisions (Mawdsley et al., 2020), tackling the 30×30 initiative (Stein et al., 2021), and responding to climate change (Lackstrom et al., 2018). We propose addressing the primary gap in knowledge around viability of regional responses to wildlife conservation initiatives by surveying state agency leadership (at the division chief level) and field biologists from across the SEAFWA states. We will address several questions. First, we will measure which elements of wildlife conservation respondents are willing to engage in at a regional level and how much they are willing to push for a regional response to each element (Objective 1). The ten elements to be assessed include the eight required elements of the 2025 SWAPs  as well as the 30×30 initiative and climate change adaptation. The SWAP elements, however, may be collapsed into a smaller set based on feedback from the project advisory board (e.g., planning for adaptive management and coordinating among stakeholders could be merged). Second, we will ask respondents what assistance is most valuable for developing regional responses (Objective 2). Third, we will ask participants to list perceived costs (e.g., interfering with long term data collection for indices) and benefits (e.g., leveraging resources across state borders) associated with regional planning for each element (Objective 3).

Developing Methodology for Rapid Assessment of Hurricane Damage on Primary Forest Industry

  • PI: Parajuli, Rajan 
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service
  • Awarded Amount: $80,000.00 

Abstract: Forest disturbances such as fires, insect damage, drought, etc. are not uncommon events. The extent and intensity of these disturbances, however, can turn them into catastrophic events. Hurricane damage is one such event, often destroying large areas or forestland, with negative consequences to economies and ecosystems. While forest landowners face direct economic loss from tree mortality and damage, hurricane damage can also impact local and neighboring forest industry, by way of timber supply losses to local and neighboring primary wood processing mills. The proposed project aims to develop methodology to rapidly evaluate hurricane impacts to primary mills and, therefore, to economies of affected areas. Work will be directed to identify and quantify impacts to woodsheds of both directly affected and neighboring areas. Impacts to neighboring areas can result from potential shifts in wood procurement by mills in hurricane affected areas.  

Effects of Silvicultural Release on the Beneficial Endosymbionts of the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

  • PI: Jetton, Robert M
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service
  • Awarded Amount: $65,000.00 

Abstract: The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid is a destructive invasive insect pest of hemlock forests in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Beneficial bacterial endosymbionts of the adelgid play key roles in the insect’s biology, including the digestion of nutrients, defense against natural enemies, and resilience to environmental stress. The PI and his US Forest Service collaborators have recently demonstrated that silvicultural release of infested hemlock trees to increase light exposure and resource availability can make trees more resilient to adelgid infestation. Processes underlying why release is beneficial to the tree are not fully understood, but it is hypothesized that both behavioral responses to sunlight and physiological effects of increased temperatures on the part of the adelgid are involved. The study proposed here will explore the interactions of the adelgid and endosymbionts associated with heat stress across a set of previously established silvicultural release plots  to better understand the mechanisms underlying the success of silvicultural release on hemlock health.       

Challenges and Opportunities for Agroforestry Practitioners to Participate in State Preferential Property Tax Programs for Agriculture and Forestry

  • PI: Parajuli, Rajan 
  • Direct Sponsor Name: US Dept. of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service
  • Awarded Amount: $64,683.00 

Abstract: In this proposed second phase, applying the methodological framework developed in Phase I, we will catalog the agroforestry challenges and opportunities in all other states. We will conduct a number of focus group discussions and expert consultations to ensure a diverse and regional perspective on preferential tax programs and agroforestry practices. We plan to incorporate topics related to minority and limited-resource landowners, including heirs property owners, to explore their ability to qualify for PPTP. We will reach out to natural resource and tax professionals working with minority landowners to assess their perspectives and specific needs in promoting agroforestry practices. As we process these data, we will continually review statutory, regulatory, and other (guides, manuals) rules and eligibility criteria for other potential challenges and opportunities that were not identified in the pilot states. We will then discuss the implications of the compatibility of these programs with agroforestry practices on the availability of economic relief to all current and potential adopters as well as the environmental benefits from land-use diversification and climate resiliency. This information will inform future human dimensions work by the National Agroforestry Center; in particular, it will provide information on agroforestry enterprise and business planning.