New paper on using modeling to guide conservation efforts of the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly – Population and Community Ecology (PACE) Lab

When surveying for new populations of rare species, particularly those with short active seasons like the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly (HED), optimizing search effort is imperative. Two models were created and field validated as a guide for when, where, and for how long to search for novel populations of the Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly.

A species detection probability model was developed using surveys at known HED locations to determine the weather conditions and length of surveys necessary to determine that HED is absent from an area. A regional Species Distribution Model (SDM) was created to identify areas with the characteristics necessary for HED. To validate the model, a subset of those areas were surveyed for HED. Combined, these two models will help land managers prioritize surveys and protection of potential habitats for the federally endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly.

Read the complete paper in the Journal of Insect Conservation

Kessler, Ethan J., J.M. Mui, and M.J. Dreslik. 2026. Integrating multi-scale species distribution modeling and field validation to guide conservation of the endangered Hine’s Emerald Dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana). Journal of Insect Conservation 2026 (30):48. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10841-026-00781-0

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