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.

MDC managers and decision makers often need information on what “the public” thinks about resource management issues—from how users like a new trail or exhibit to how the state should manage the deer population. For any public survey, we must identify the target audience and how results will be used. With nearly every survey MDC conducts reviewers will also ask “Wouldn’t online surveys save MDC money?” and we respond, “It depends!” Online surveys have become attractive as a presumably economical way to measure constituents’ preferences, opinions, and attitudes.

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.