In Ontario, nearly all development projects have the potential to impact one or more Species at Risk and/or habitat used by Species at Risk. Consideration of these species is important to incorporate into development decisions and avoid contravention of Ontario’s Endangered Species Act. Azimuth’s professionally trained ecologists have over twenty years of experience completing Species at Risk assessments and helping our clients mitigate risk.
For species such as amphibians (e.g. salamanders), reptiles (e.g. turtles, snakes), fish and mammals (e.g. bats), traditional Species at Risk field surveys typically involve detailed surveying of a site’s habitat features for evidence of the presence of a target species (e.g. visual encounters, tracks, evidence of breeding such as salamander egg masses or turtle nesting, bats emerging from old structures, acoustic monitoring) and recording observations. These surveys can be time-consuming and must be completed during a specific season and may involve some level of habitat disruption. Traditional field surveys that depend on physical observations can also be challenging for species that are difficult to find or occur in small numbers.
As part of Azimuth’s commitment to research, we completed a four year programme to develop environmental DNA survey protocols for the Species at Risk that was partially funding through the National Research Council of Canada. This study focused on Blanding’s Turtle, Redside Dace, Silver Shiner, Lake Sturgeon and Little Brown Bat. Presence/absence of a species can be determined with confidence by collecting biological samples and analysed for environmental DNA. For example, by collecting water samples from a wetland, Azimuth ecologists can determine the presence/absence of Blanding’s Turtles in the wetland. Azimuth provides environmental DNA services for a suite of amphibian, reptile, fish and mammal species for determining presence/absence of Species at Risk.
Advantages of environmental DNA
- Non-invasive (indirect sampling of a species’ habitat rather than the species itself)
- Increased survey opportunities (e.g. surveying for Species at Risk turtles in winter)
- Ability to survey for multiple Species at Risk simultaneously
- Optimal sampling designs
- Genetic testing that achieves highest industry standards
- Ability to complete genetic testing on-site for even faster turn-around, if desired
- Reduced field and data analysis time and no special permits required, saving time and money
- Improved accuracy and efficiency
- Improved opportunities for difficult-to-access sites
