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Project T-118-R1

Project Title: Conservation Actions for Dragonfly, Fish, and Reptile Species in Greatest Conservation Need

Community and/or Species Focus: Fish, Odonates, Reptiles

Goals/Objectives:
  1. Determine any research gaps for six endangered and threatened (E&T) fish species and create a species guidance document for each
  2. Gather data to draft a conservation plan for the greater redhorse and river redhorse
  3. Evaluate habitat choices and timing of spawning bigeye chub and provide crucial habitat data for us in its conservation
  4. Survey for the elfin skimmer to determine suitability and species presence
  5. Develop a species distribution model for the Hine's emerald dragonfly
  6. Collect demographic data for Kirtland's snake at 3 Illinois populations and develop a species distribution model
  7. Determine abundance, structure, fecundity, and survival in populations of ornate box turtles and determine if enough information exists to develop a conservation plan
  8. Collect habitat and landscape metrics on timber rattlesnakes for use in a predictive distribution model
Achievements:
  1. ​Fully written species guidance documents for 6 Illinois E&T fish species
  2. Draft of 2 conservation plans for 2 Illinois E&T fish
  3. Detailed spawning ecology of the bigeye chub and determination of the required habitat needed
  4. An updated account of the EORs for the elfin skimmer
  5. A baseline species distribution model and field surveys with high probability areas for the Hine's emerald dragonfly
  6. Demographic data, a baseline species distribution model, and an up-to-date assessment of EORs for Kirtland's snake
  7. A demographic assessment of ornate box turtle populations at 3 sites
  8. A determination of the number of den sites/populations of timber rattlesnakes

Post-Project Survey (if applicable): n/a

Project Period: 1/1/08 - 12/31/20

Principle Investigator(s):

 Mike Dreslik (Illinois Natural History Survey) 

Final Report: Project is currently underway; "Achievements" are projections of what is to be accomplished.