Army Corps of Engineers received $725,265 in research funding.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has announced research grant awards to study alligators. They say that alligators are an important indicator of the ecology of the Everglades. They say numerous completed research studies link the two. Left unstated is why additional research is warranted considering the many studies identified by the grant.
The Army agency is providing researchers an initial base funding of $145,053 to study the gators’ eating, sleeping, and nesting habits, with subsequent additional funding available up to an estimated total of $725,265 for the duration of the study.
“The Florida Everglades is the only place in the world where both alligators and crocodiles occur,” the corps stated. They “are indicators of ecosystem health and restoration success, because at all life history stages, crocodilians integrate biological impacts of hydrologic conditions,” the grant notice said.
The agency’s long-term objective is to identify changes in alligator numbers and body condition as it pertains to water delivery changes and the presence of prey. Another research objective is to observe alligator nesting and their body conditions as they relate to water conditions.
The awarded grant is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan authorized under the Water Resources Development Act of 2000.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the Army Corps of Engineers as they support studies to conserve the Florida Everglades.
- For federal agencies as they seek to maintain the health of America’s natural resources, including those found in national parks and recreation areas.
Sources: Newsmax, Just the News, Real Clear Politics
