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
NatureMetrics
Passionate conservationist currently focusing on eDNA
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I'm interested in combining knowledge in ecology and machine learning to do research and make application. I'm a master's student in ecology, with a B.A. in Ecology and an M.S. in applied data science.
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Research Microbiologist at the U.S. Geological Survey based out of Montana
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San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance
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University of California
retired Field Station Director, very early adopter of conservation technologies
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Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
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Assistant Professor studying Primate Molecular Health at Itwara Forest in Uganda and AZA-accredited zoos.
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Environmental (DNA) has emerged as a powerful and accessible tool to non-invasively and cost-effectly identify the presence of species in an environment, used by conservationists, researchers and citizen scientists. In...
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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...
11 January 2023
Five articles that include conservation tech published at Mongabay
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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
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...
14 September 2022
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
Are you interested in joining a team dedicated to changing how conservation is conducted around the world by developing new genetic technologies for conservation, and being part of the new wave of scientists paving a...
15 August 2022
Careers
Postdoc position focused on marine mammals, oceanography and eDNA!
15 July 2022
Positions include ecological data scientist, bioinformatician, metabarcoding assay developer, bioinformatics engineer, marine eDNA product scientist & more
4 June 2022
Mongabay article on the recently launched Centre for Wildlife Forensics in Singapore, noting their successes so far in catching wildlife traffickers and uncovering trafficking routes
29 May 2022
NatureMetrics is now seeking a Product Design Engineer to help develop a product range focused on rapid in-field methods to detect species from environmental samples.
6 April 2022
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Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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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... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 4 years 5 months 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... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 6 years 1 month ago | |
Interesting new article on in-the-field DNA analysis. |
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eDNA & Genomics | 6 years 7 months ago | |
This could be huge for monitoring territorial species, not to mention have the potential to reduce the number of... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 3 months ago | |
Please share your experiences and how you are using eDNA. |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 3 months ago | |
There will be an eDNA talk at the Mares Conference, February 1st to 5th 2016, Olhão, Portugal The talk is titled: "Species detections in environmental DNA using... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 3 months ago | |
Article about Claude Miaud's presentation at the Fuller Symposium: https://www.wildlabs.net/resources/thought-pieces/biodiversity-drop-water-new-opportunity-edna |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 4 months ago | |
Thank you for sharing! |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 5 months ago | |
Dear eDNA community, Take a look at this eDNA news blog: http://www.spygen.com/blog/ |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 5 months ago | |
eDNA is a complex topic and getting a start in the field can be intimidating. However, this excellent review from 2014 can be very... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 8 years 5 months ago |