Species From Feces: A New Tool to Identify Bats in Culverts and on Bridges
White-Nose Syndrome has decimated the populations of three bat species in Minnesota. The Northern Long-eared Bat is listed as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the final Tri-Colored Bat listing decision will be made soon, and the Little Brown Bat is being considered for listing. MnDOT has documented that bat species in Minnesota roost in bridges. Bridge maintenance and construction projects can result in “take”, which is prohibited under the ESA. Because bats roosting in cracks and crevices are not visible when using or inspecting a bridge or culvert, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) must assume that if bats are known to use a bridge, a listed species could be present. Assuming that listed bat species are present complicates regulatory compliance, lengthens environmental review processes, and may add costly mitigation obligations to maintenance and construction projects (e.g., seasonal restrictions on work, conservation projects to offset impacts). DNA from bat guano sampled at bridges can be identified to species. The objective of this proposal is to develop guidelines for sampling bat guano that will enable MnDOT to say with at least 90% certainty that a bat species is present or absent on a bridge. Research Team will develop sampling protocols and analysis techniques leading to a standard methodology for determining the probability of bat presence or absence on bridges in Minnesota. Guidelines will benefit MnDOT by streamlining ESA project reviews for maintenance and construction projects on bridges and culverts. This would result in reduced construction and maintenance costs, fewer restrictions on project timing, improved compliance with ESA regulations, and improved conditions for listed bat species.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $251999
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Contract Numbers:
1036342 WO#115
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Sponsor Organizations:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St Paul, MN United States 55155 -
Managing Organizations:
Minnesota Department of Transportation
395 John Ireland Boulevard
St Paul, MN United States 55155 -
Performing Organizations:
University of Minnesota Duluth
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
1303 Ordean Ct
Duluth, MN United States 55812 -
Principal Investigators:
Moen, Ron
Stern, Raphael
Sieber, Jessica
- Start Date: 20240808
- Expected Completion Date: 20260930
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Bridge construction; Culverts; Endangered species; Environmental monitoring; Sampling
- Geographic Terms: Minnesota
- Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Environment; Highways; Planning and Forecasting;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01926720
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Minnesota Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 1036342 WO#115
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Aug 8 2024 4:38PM