This SERDP and ESTCP webinar focuses on emerging technologies for monitoring threatened and endangered species on DoD lands, offering cost-effective, data-driven insights to guide habitat management and sustain mission readiness.

The first presentation, "New Monitoring Technologies to Inform CA Least Tern Recovery on DoD Lands," addresses the decline in reproductive success of California least terns (CLT) on Naval Base Coronado and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton since 2009. The project uses a multi-technology approach, integrating time-lapse cameras, miniaturized radiotelemetry, underwater imagery with computer vision, and fecal DNA analysis to explore whether limited fish availability in nearshore areas is affecting CLT recovery.

The second presentation, "Metabarcoding to Assess Habitat Quality for Birds on Military Lands," presents DNA metabarcoding as a tool for monitoring at-risk species (TES) on DoD lands. By analyzing over 1,000 fecal samples from eight bird species across five installations, this project identifies arthropod species in the birds' diets, revealing which habitat features most support TES populations. This approach enables targeted habitat improvements, ensuring effective use of conservation resources.