b'COEPVAERRT FMEEANTTUREDEnvironmentalBy Dr. Scott Tarof& Mike JonesDNA to the rescueA novel new way of detecting species at risk through geneticmaterial like skin, scales and hair H aveyouheardaboutanewObtaining the most accurate and reliableobscuringobservations,andrelianceon technologythatcouldrevo- data on which species at risk live on landsmultiple habitats tied to seasonality or life lutionizehowspeciesatriskintended for aggregate operations has longstages are additional factors that influence inventoriesareconductedbeencriticaltotheaggregateapprovalsthe accuracy and precision of traditional intheaggregateindustry?process(seesidebaronpg.9).Consultantsfield surveys. Consider trying to determine Environmental DNA (eDNA), which usestypicallyrelyonlabour-intensivefieldthepresenceorabsenceofBlandings genetic markers to detect target species, ismethodsthatinvolvesystematicsurveysTurtles(threatened)inanexpansive the latest technology providing the aggre- across a property to detect a species presencewetland with a mosaic of patches of tall gate industry with an entirely new way oforabsence.Whilesuchsurveymethods,emergent aquatic vegetation, open water discovering species at risk on lands targetedconducted by highly trained ecologists, areandbaskingsites.OrLakeSturgeon for aggregate development.useful, they have their limitations.(endangered)inalarge,deepriver.Or eDNA is genetic material shed or releasedIntraditionalfieldsurveys,presenceLittle Brown Bats (endangered) roosting in into an animals habitattypical examplesor absence is based on visual or auditorysnag trees in a large forest. includegametes,skinorscalesfromobservationsofactiveindividualsandIts also possible that regulatory agencies aquaticanimalsorguanopelletsorhairhabitatcharacteristics.Althoughthemay require scientific permits for certain from mammalsand it can be used to inferproperty is typically visited several times,species,addingmorecomplexityto the presence or absence of species at riskif a species happens to be quiet or inactivetheprocess.through indirect sampling. This pioneeringduringthesurveyitmaybeoverlooked. technologydelivershighaccuracyandLookingforspeciesatriskisespeciallyeDNA TO THE RESCUEeaseofuse,eveninseasonsandareaschallenging for species that are cryptic or wheretraditionalspeciesdetectionhassecretive,occurinsmallnumbersoveraAzimuthEnvironmentalConsulting,Inc. often been fraught with challenges. As alarge habitat area, or are distributed patchily.(Azimuth) has collaborated with Precision rapid, inferential sampling method, eDNABiomonitoringInc.(PBI)since2017to is a powerful addition to the consultantsObserverexperienceandskill,surveydevelop and test eDNA protocols for the toolkit for detecting target at risk species.timing,habitatcomplexity,turbidwaterconsultingsectorasacomplementary 6 AVENUESFALL 2020'