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!
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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
This paper explores ground-breaking advances in terrestrial biomonitoring, demonstrating how DNA from terrestrial animals can be collected from the air under natural conditions.
27 January 2022
Check out the new research article "Environmental DNA metabarcoding as a useful tool for evaluating terrestrial mammal diversity in tropical forests." Recently published in Ecological Society of America's Ecological...
6 April 2021
In this news article by Rutherford Discovery Fellow Emma Carroll, we learn about how genomics and satellite data are helping researchers gain a new understanding of southern right whale population recovery, migration...
5 November 2020
Funding
The 2020 Hackaday Prize competition has begun! This year, Conservation X Labs has partnered with the Hackaday Prizes as one of four nonprofits seeking tech-based solutions to urgent challenges. Conservation X Labs'...
26 May 2020
The WILDLABS TECH HUB is supporting technology solutions tackling the illegal wildlife trade, in collaboration with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Digital Catapult, Satellite Applications Catapult, Amazon Web...
4 June 2019
In February, we released an open call for the WILDLABS TECH HUB, offering 3 months of support for solutions using technolgy to tackle the illegal wildlife trade. We were overwhelmed by an incredible 37 submissions,...
13 May 2019
Article
A new research project is looking to investigate whether technology combined with the ancient skills and knowledge of Namibian trackers can help save cheetahs from extinction. Called FIT Cheetahs, the research project...
4 December 2017
What makes a good detection dog handler? Is it something that can be taught and learnt over time, or is it something more intuitive? Do some people just have what it takes, and other people don’t? At the start of 2017...
3 November 2017
Welcome to an installment of a new series from the Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge in which we will be sharing updates from their 16 Prize Winners who are working to combat wildlife crime around the globe. Slow lorises...
23 June 2017
Are you ready for this year's #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge? In anticipation, we're counting down our ten favourite entries from last year. Do you think you can top these?
1 March 2017
The Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) is a training and capacity building programme that targets individuals from developing countries who are early in their conservation career and demonstrate leadership...
21 November 2016
December 2023
event
November 2023
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5 Products
Recently updated products
Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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Hello everyone, I'm interested in gathering insights on how the behavior of different species impacts the development and efficacy of... |
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Biologging, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation | 1 month 4 weeks ago | |
Hi everyone. I'm still confused about this. Is it feasible to employ environmental DNA (eDNA) for the detection of two distinct communities... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 2 months 1 week ago | |
Forgot to mention this wildlife drone group - |
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Drones, eDNA & Genomics | 3 months 3 weeks ago | |
Thanks Aude, very useful. Will reach out to them! |
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Early Career, Acoustics, eDNA & Genomics, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools | 4 months 2 weeks ago | |
Carly, that would be great! Thanks! I work with soundscapes and love the work of Rainforest Connection! I'll send you an email (@CUNY) to coordinate! |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Remote Sensing & GIS | 11 months 2 weeks ago | |
Thanks so much!! |
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Acoustics, 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 | 1 year 7 months ago | |
It is! Here you go: |
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eDNA & Genomics | 1 year 9 months ago | |
@gracieermi & I are happy to announce the latest update to the Conservation Tech Directory, bringing our total resources in the... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Biologging, Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Remote Sensing & GIS, Software and Mobile Apps | 1 year 10 months ago | |
Some folks doing work in this space - Wildlife Drones, Conservation Drones, UAV Wild, AfricanDrones, Oceans Unmanned, Geonadir. |
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Drones, AI for Conservation, Citizen Science, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech | 1 year 11 months 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/... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 1 year 11 months ago | |
Posting for a labmate. La encuesta está en inglés, pero se ha proporcionado una traducción en español (ver... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 3 years 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... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 3 years 9 months ago |
Importance of eDNA survey design (Part 1 of 3)
21 March 2023 4:38pm
Proposals wanted for Innovation in Practice
6 March 2023 10:34pm
Lichen DNA Barcoding – From Sample to PCR product
23 February 2023 9:28pm
A workflow overview aimed at PCR beginners on DNA barcoding of lichens. Thought this might be interesting to anyone exploring DNA tech for environmental studies beyond just wildlife.
A practical guide to DNA-based methods for biodiversity assessment
23 February 2023 12:14pm
Texas Chapter of The Wildlife Society’s Annual Meeting 2023
20 February 2023 10:56pm
Recording: Opportunities of eDNA in biodiversity and ecosystem services
17 February 2023 8:49am
Postdoctoral fellowship in drone-assisted collection of environmental DNA.
12 February 2023 4:01pm
Developing Two Non-invasive Survey Methods for Freshwater Ecosystems: Environmental DNA and Ecoacoustics
10 February 2023 10:41am
Interesting PhD thesis just shared via ResearchGate, looking at developing eDNA and bioacoustics to 1) detect invasive/endangered crayfish & identify rivers vulnerable to invasion, and 2) Describe pond soundscape ecology/phenology, & provide guidelines for survey design.
Exploring the potential of eDNA as a conservation tool
10 February 2023 9:45am
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
11 January 2023 5:00pm
New conservation tech articles from Mongabay
20 October 2022 7:45pm
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
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)
14 September 2022 1:42pm
Conservation Technology Research Internship
26 August 2022 4:58pm
Post Doctoral researcher - DNA species detection technology
15 August 2022 4:50pm
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
4 June 2022 12:41pm
New wildlife forensics lab - Singapore
29 May 2022 12:34pm
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."
Opportunity: Product Design Engineer
6 April 2022 12:00am
News: The Latest in Conservation Tech
10 March 2022 12:00am
Measuring biodiversity from DNA in the air
27 January 2022 12:00am
How do I use eDNA in large-scale monitoring of terrestrial mammals?
13 October 2021 12:00am
23 September 2022 5:26pm
Congrats on the milestone Carly and Gracie!