POSTER PRESENTER: http://tinyurl.com/2024WSC-Toczydlowski TITLE: Leveraging genetic tools and building partnerships to conserve Hine's emerald dragonfly ABSTRACT: The Hine’s emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana, HED) is one of the most imperiled species of dragonflies in the Great Lakes region and is federally listed across its range. Understanding the species distribution, and, by extension, habitat requirements, is critical to designing effective monitoring and conservation strategies for this endangered species. Currently, there are ten known HED populations. Additional potentially suitable habitat exists but has proved difficult to survey. Adult HED are only present for 2-6 weeks, larvae are difficult to identify, and traditional survey methods require invasive, direct handling. Environmental DNA (eDNA) provides an alternative, non-invasive survey method by testing for the presence (or absence) of HED DNA in the water column. We are currently building a scientific network to conduct extensive eDNA sampling for HED across its range. Pilot sampling has occurred in the Hiawatha National Forest (MI) and Door County (WI). This range-wide eDNA survey effort will allow us to improve species distribution maps, develop a better understanding of the factors that shape HED habitat suitability, identify and prioritize critical habitat for conservation, and establish a baseline against which to compare future changes in the species’ distribution. We are currently building partnerships and soliciting input to identify areas to focus eDNA surveys. Please connect with us if you have input! Dragonflies provide critical ecosystem services that are disproportionate to the relatively few species of dragonfly present in the Great Lakes region. This limited functional redundancy makes HED a critical player in maintaining wetland ecosystem resilience and function. BIO: Rachel Toczydlowski is a Research Scientist for the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service (Northern Research Station, Rhinelander, WI). Dr. Toczydlowski's research focuses on understanding the relationships between ecological processes and evolutionary outcomes, especially the determinants and consequences of genetic diversity at the level of the individual, population, and species.