Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is a molecular sampling technology that collects information about organisms using DNA shed by them into their environment. While eDNA holds exciting potential to become an efficient, low-cost, non-invasive ecological monitoring method, a lack of standardization of approaches and purpose-built sampling equipment make it hard to compare results and determine its actual effectiveness across studies. Detection success and accuracy also vary greatly among species and environments, making standardization a challenge.
However, as eDNA moves toward becoming an industry standard method for species detection and management, the equipment is beginning to transition from largely do-it-yourself experimental contraptions to professionally engineered tools. For example, Smith-Root Inc. recently developed the first-ever purpose-built eDNA sampling system, which they call ANDe™. We’re also seeing an expansion of eDNA applications from mainly marine to freshwater and even terrestrial environments, although the latter still requires substantial growth.
As this nascent field develops, it is critical for the conservation tech community to explore and identify how eDNA applies to management needs, and to ensure that continued development meets those needs. Beyond indicating species presence, research so far suggests that eDNA can contribute to conservation by deepening understanding of population dynamics, resource usage, disease presence, invasion pathways of non-native species, and population genetics, to name a few. This indicates that it could be a critical tool for managing imperiled and invasive species.
If you're new to eDNA and genomics, check out our Tech Tutors episode "How Do I Use Portable Genomics in the Field?" featuring Ineke Knot. You'll also find a bank of resources on that page, including a handy glossary of terms in our collaborative notes document!
Does your work involve eDNA and genomics, or are you curious about incorporating this type of technology into your field or lab work? Start a discussion in our group forum!
Header Image: Benjamin Barca
Wildlife Entrepreneur | Innovation for Nature Conservation | Systems-thinking | Web3.0 | DAOs | Rewilding & more
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Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
Wildlife Biologist and Marine Conservationist
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A marine environmentalist with diverse experience in collaborating on multidisciplinary & community-centred marine research focused on: fisheries management, blue carbon strategies, seagrass ecosystems, & ocean literacy.
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WILDLABS
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Wildlife Drones
Wildlife Drones has developed the world’s most innovative radio animal-tracking system using drones so you can track your radio-tagged animals like never before.
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NatureMetrics
Passionate conservationist currently focusing on eDNA
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Design Strategist - Regenerative Futures
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Am a conservation biologist/primatologist passionate about conservation of endangered species, biodiversity monitoring, climate change studies and local livelihoods
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PhD Student in Disease Ecology, Taxonomy and biomonitoring in Central Africa
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WILDLABS & Fauna & Flora International (FFI)
I am the WILDLABS East Africa Community Coordinator
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Postdoc using genomics and ancient DNA to help conserve a critically endangered cockatoo species
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Careers
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
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WILDLABS and Fauna & Flora International are seeking an early career Vietnamese conservationist for 12-month paid internship position to grow and support the Southeast Asia regional community in our global...
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Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
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*New closing date!* WILDLABS and Fauna & Flora International are seeking an early career conservationist for 12-month paid internship position to grow and support the Southeast Asia regional community in our global...
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The Senior Conservation Technology Specialist will be responsible for providing technical advice and capacity development to GWP project teams on conservation technology, distilling challenges and lessons from project...
22 September 2022
2
Funding
The European Biodiversity Partnership Biodiversa+, co-funded by the European Union, has launched a call for research proposals on “Improved transnational monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem change for science and...
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1
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Conservation Technology Research Internship
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Boost cons tech capacity at an international NGO! Fauna & Flora International is offering a paid three-month internship to consolidate and share best practices for the application of emerging hardware and software...
26 August 2022
2
Careers
Post Doctoral researcher - DNA species detection technology
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15 August 2022
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eDNA Postdoc in Seattle
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Postdoc position focused on marine mammals, oceanography and eDNA!
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1
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News: The Latest in Conservation Tech
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Check out this round-up of three of the latest news stories from the conservation tech world. See more conservation tech news by subscribing to our bi-monthly digest.
10 March 2022
February 2023
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thanks so much!! |
|
Acoustic Monitoring, AI for Conservation, Biologging, Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools , Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Remote Sensing & GIS, Software and Mobile Apps | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| It is! Here you go: |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 6 months 1 week ago | |
| @gracieermi & I are happy to announce the latest update to the Conservation Tech Directory, bringing our total resources in the... |
|
Acoustic Monitoring, AI for Conservation, Biologging, Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools , Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Remote Sensing & GIS, Software and Mobile Apps | 7 months 1 week ago | |
| Some folks doing work in this space - Wildlife Drones, Conservation Drones, UAV Wild, AfricanDrones, Oceans Unmanned, Geonadir. |
|
Drones, AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech | 7 months 2 weeks ago | |
| New paper by Héloïse Verdier of LEHNA lab: Passive sampling of environmental DNA in aquatic environments using 3D-printed hydroxyapatite samplers https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 8 months 1 week ago | |
| Posting for a labmate. La encuesta está en inglés, pero se ha proporcionado una traducción en español (ver... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 1 year 8 months ago | |
| Hi Wildlabbers, Ineke's episode is up on our Youtube now! Follow this link or watch it below. You can also find our collaborative notes from this episode here (where you... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 2 years 5 months ago | |
| Ah! Well you're in luck.. We're doing acoustics first thing next year. Late January some time, so in good time for your field season. We also had the audiomoth team give a... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 3 years 1 month ago | |
| Hi Emily, Rachel has some practical suggestions about rigging your current centrifuge up to fit the small tubes. What do you think - vIable? 1) If you're... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 4 years 10 months ago | |
| Interesting new article on in-the-field DNA analysis. |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 5 years 3 months ago | |
| This could be huge for monitoring territorial species, not to mention have the potential to reduce the number of... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 7 years ago | |
| Please share your experiences and how you are using eDNA. |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 7 years ago |
Western Section of The Wildlife Society 2023
25 January 2023 2:09am
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
11 January 2023 5:00pm
New conservation tech articles from Mongabay
20 October 2022 7:45pm
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
Meredith S. Palmer
19 October 2022 9:22am
Conservation Tech Directory - new update!
29 August 2022 2:38pm
26 September 2022 10:07pm
Thanks so much!!
Senior Conservation Technology Expert Position (Consultancy) with the Global Wildlife Program
22 September 2022 5:35pm
New paper: Environmental DNA as a management tool for tracking artificial waterhole use in savanna ecosystems
19 September 2022 2:43pm
From Max Farrell on Twitter: "New paper comparing eDNA and camera traps for tracking waterhole visitation. We took pictures, analyzed DNA in drinking water, built a reference library for vertebrates in the Kruger, and asked how well these tools work (and why!)"
Scientists Solve Mount Everest Wildlife Mysteries Through the Use of eDNA
14 September 2022 2:53pm
A team of scientists headed by WCS and Appalachian State University employed environmental DNA (eDNA) to record the breadth of high-alpine biodiversity on Mount Everest.
CFP - transnational biodiversity monitoring (from European Biodiversity Partnership)
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26 August 2022 4:58pm
Post Doctoral researcher - DNA species detection technology
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Tech Tutors: How do I use eDNA in large-scale monitoring of terrestrial mammals?
21 October 2021 12:26pm
28 July 2022 2:52pm
Hi - is a recording of this session (Using eDNA in large-scale monitoring) still available?
28 July 2022 4:47pm
It is! Here you go:
eDNA Postdoc in Seattle
15 July 2022 11:00pm
New Conservation Tech Directory update
27 June 2022 4:45pm
Cofounder needed
9 June 2022 4:23pm
17 June 2022 1:14pm
What about developing a drone conservation training course for field conservation staff teaching specific skills for specific research needs.
17 June 2022 6:54pm
How exciting @Joyeeta ! I'd love to learn more about the companies and projects you worked on, can you share more info about them?
I once chatted to an entrepreneurial advisor with a couple of my conservation tech ideas, and he said my ideas are good/impactful but don't make for a product worth millions of $$$ of turnover per year that would interest investors. So I am very curious about how you got your conservation tech businesses off the ground!
18 June 2022 8:33pm
Some folks doing work in this space - Wildlife Drones, Conservation Drones, UAV Wild, AfricanDrones, Oceans Unmanned, Geonadir.
Multiple positions open at NatureMetrics
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New wildlife forensics lab - Singapore
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eDNA Future applications
25 January 2016 5:12pm
31 January 2019 10:28pm
Hi Yvan,
This is Federico from IVE. The OSMO is being continuously developed and we have a couple of dozen units currently collecting samples/data around the world. It's also relatively cheap as it was designed with citizen scientists in mind. Maybe we could skype for additional details?
Cheers
5 February 2019 3:32pm
Hi Federico,
That's great to hear. Yes, let's skype. I'll send you my info by personal message.
Best
26 May 2022 5:05pm
New paper by Héloïse Verdier of LEHNA lab: Passive sampling of environmental DNA in aquatic environments using 3D-printed hydroxyapatite samplers https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/1755-0998.13604
The group createda proof of concept of a passive, 3D-printed and easy-to-use eDNA sampler: "We designed the samplers from hydroxyapatite (HAp samplers), a natural mineral with a high DNA adsorption capacity. The porous structure and shape of the samplers were designed to optimize DNA adsorption and facilitate their handling in the laboratory and in the field. Here we show that HAp samplers can efficiently collect genomic DNA in controlled set-ups, but can also collect animal eDNA under controlled and natural conditions with yields similar to conventional methods. However, we also observed large variations in the amount of DNA collected even under controlled conditions. A better understanding of the DNA–hydroxyapatite interactions on the surface of the samplers is now necessary to optimize eDNA adsorption and to allow the development of a reliable, easy-to-use and reusable eDNA sampling tool."
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Congrats on the milestone Carly and Gracie!