A Survey that Established a Baseline Set of Population Data for Odonata Species of Jay Cooke State Park, Carlton County, Minnesota

Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) are important bio-indicators due to their obligate aquatic nymph form, which can help detect long-term temperature changes, pollution, and overall watershed health. Although 10% of Odonata species worldwide are currently listed in danger of extinction, about a third of species lack sufficient data to assess their conservation status. Without baseline data on Odonata ranges, there is no way to determine which species are declining due to habitat loss, climate change, invasive species, and other ecological issues. In an effort to create a baseline data set for Carlton County, Minnesota, an Odonata inventory was conducted in Jay Cooke State Park from May 2012 through September 2013. Various habitats are present in Jay Cooke including both lentic and lotic environments in the forms of streams, bogs, ponds, river banks, and lakes. Survey techniques included hand netting of adults, field identification, exuvia collection, and fine scale location recording. Forty species of odonates were present in the park, including 21 county records. Specimens were treated in acetone, enveloped, and recorded for long-term storage. Data were shared with the Minnesota Dragonfly Society, The Minnesota DNR, and Odonata Central, and a set of specimens was prepared for educational use at Jay Cooke State Park. Results indicate that Carlton County is currently under-surveyed; with continued survey work this baseline data could prove to be useful in future studies.