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ardea
consulting
provides a complete review of existing data sets to determine the adequacy
of avian and other wildlife toxicology information for addressing required
technical and/or regulatory issues. Our
written reports appropriately answer intended questions.
In addition, we advise clients of any gaps or inadequacies of
the data and provide approaches available to address shortcomings in
the most cost-effective manner.
When ardea
consulting provides input as part of a larger avian or other
wildlife toxicology consulting team with other consultants, engineers
or environmental groups, ardea provides
as much technical writing support as required.
Here
is an example of data integration/interpretation regarding an issue
of specific concern:
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Sample
Projects:
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Project
#1:
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Problem:
A federal agency required the analysis of nationwide bird
databases to evaluate whether regulatory decisions led to
the intended outcomes regarding protection of bird populations.
Solution: Breeding Bird Survey (BBS) data
were combined with crop and pesticide use data and analyzed
for trends in bird populations.
Result: A report was submitted documenting changes
in population trends and bird abundance within various regions
of the United States prior to and following the introduction
of Bt Cotton. |
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Project
#2:
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Problem:
As a follow-up to Project #1, the association between avian
population monitoring locations and land-use/cover types
was required to identify specific monitoring locations closely
associated with agricultural lands.
Solution: A Geographic Information System
(GIS) analysis was performed to determine the availability
of land-use/cover databases and to assign buffer areas around
bird monitoring locations to determine land-uses/cover types
associated with specific monitoring sites.
Result: A report was
submitted with maps depicting those bird monitoring locations
in proximity to agricultural lands throughout the contiguous
United States. |
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Project
#3:
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Problem:
A client needed an expert opinion, citing relevant literature,
as to whether an increase in certain constituents in the
discharge effluent would constitute a potentially significant
impact to species near the outflow pipe.
Solution: A summary was prepared of the toxicity
to aquatic birds, fish and invertebrates of the constituents
of the effluent that were anticipated to increase.
Result: A report was
submitted that evaluated potential impacts to local species.
Since only effluent concentrations were available, and the
receiving body of water was large with complex tidal influences
and riverine inputs, the resulting opinion was guarded. |
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Previous
experience: While working in industry, Dr. Sullivan
was responsible for reviewing reports and the supporting
data from numerous laboratory and field studies. He ensured
the reports were well written, the data were present to
support the conclusions in the report, the data were collected
in a scientifically sound manner, and the data and report
met EPA guidelines and regulatory requirements.
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