Cooperative Agreement for affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit

U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Powell Center solicits research on "A spatially explicit framework to assess the risk of aquatic contaminants to insectivorous birds." This project will predict how contaminant and nutrient fluxes by adult aquatic insects contribute to a landscape of risk for aerial insectivorous birds. The research synthesis project will map areas of elevated risk for aerial insectivorous birds across the U.S. and Europe from contaminant effects on aquatic insect prey. Specifically, this project will elucidate the spatial patterns of risk due to prey loss and contaminant exposure through diet. This synthesis will enhance understanding of the spatial extent of aquatic contaminant fates and the impacts of those contaminants on aerial insectivores. This work will support species and habitat management by equipping decision makers with the tools to anticipate where and to what extent aquatic-borne contaminants and their (re)distribution across the landscape pose risks to environmental health at local, regional, and continental scales.