Projects

Neonicotinoids are a class of chemical insecticide widely used as pre-planting seed treatments on major agricultural crops such as corn, soybeans, canola, and cereals (e.g., wheat) to control insect agricultural pests. Recently concerns have been raised about the potential immediate and long-term effects of these chemicals on bees and aquatic invertebrates. In addition to toxicity concerns regarding non-target species, these chemicals are relatively water soluble and persistent in soil, raising concern about contamination of surface waters in the vicinity of their use.

Light Range and Detection, which is more commonly referred to as LiDAR, is remote sensing technology that has become increasingly available and used for a wide range of purposes in the last 10-15 years. LiDAR sensors measure distances and are often used to map topographic relief by generating a mass of elevation points. With the advancement in computer processing, additional information collected with LiDAR sensors pertaining to forest structure (e.g., tree height and density) have also begun to be analyzed.

MDC’s Resource Science Division (RSD), Fisheries Division and others have been involved in collecting information on aquatic systems for over 60 years.  Much of this information has been entered into electronic databases maintained by RSD staff.  Recent advances in electronic database management and communication makes it practical to combine elements of these multiple databases into a single aquatic database.  The advantage of accessing information through the RSD-IAD compared to past practices is that access will be instantaneous and the information will be the most current