NASA Headquarters, Code YSE, Washington, DC 20546 Attn:YSE/Anthony C. Janetos

A -- NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT SOL NRA-96-MTPE-03 POC Anthony C. Janetos tel: 202/358-0276 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration intends to solicit scientific investigations on the topic of land-cover and land-use change that combine remotely-sensed data with information and knowledge from other sources. This NRA presents an opportunity for researchers to participate in a new NASA research and development activity of Land-Cover and Land-Use Change (LCLUC). LCLUC is an emerging interdisciplinary activity within the NASA Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) program structure and supports one of the priority research areas identified by the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP). LCLUC aims to develop and use NASA remote sensing technology to improve our understanding of human interaction with the environment. This improved understanding will be used to provide a foundation for sustainable use and management of our natural resources. There are four major underlying research dimensions to the NASA MTPE Land-Cover and Land-Use Change Program. A) Forcing Factors: These are the factors that drive changes in landscapes and the resultant impacts on the biogeochemical and hydrological cycles and energy and gas fluxes. B) Responses and Consequences: NASA proposes to make the initial thrust of its effort in those parts of the world that are currently undergoing the most stress, where the stresses from human activities are sure to increase the most rapidly, and where major changes are already taking place. C) Modeling and Implications: The NASA MTPE Land-Cover and Land-Use Change Program will develop techniques to incorporate land-cover and land-use change into existing biogeochemical and biophysical models. D) Techniques and Methods: A part of this initiative will be devoted to developing, refining and implementing techniques and methods in support of the science objectives of this program. Investigators at scientific research and educational institutions in the U.S. are eligible to apply for funding under this NRA. The proposal process will involve two stages: pre-proposals and full proposals. Pre-proposals will be due no later than July 24, 1996. This NRA will be available electronically on the release date, via that Internet at the Mission to Planet Earth ''Home Page'' at http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/mtpe/ under ''MTPE Research Announcements'' or via anonymous ftp at ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/mtpe. A paper copy will be available to those who do not have access to Internet by calling (202) 358-3552 and leaving a voice mail message. This announcement will be open for the period from July 1, 1996 through July 24, 1996, and preproposals may be submitted at any time throughout that period. (0165)

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