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
World Wide Fund for Nature/ World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
Lead specialist in animal population monitoring at WWF combining field experience with innovative technologies like environmental DNA and AI to advance global biodiversity conservation through cost-effective monitoring methods.
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 2 Groups
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 5 Groups
- @Durgananda
- | He
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 20 Groups
- @MStarking
- | she/her/hers
Ecologist and conservation researcher, currently an Assistant Professor at University of Michigan-Flint, research areas include landscape ecology, forestry and wildlife interactions, wildlife habitat relationships, spatial ecology, GIS.
- 0 Resources
- 1 Discussions
- 15 Groups
- @YvanSG
- | he/him
Clemson University
Seabird ecologist at Clemson University, South Carolina Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit. Co-chair of Caribbean Seabird Working Group. Porteur de béret occasionel.
- 0 Resources
- 61 Discussions
- 7 Groups
Technical Specialist at FFI: loves data management, maps, remote sensing & GIS for conservation
- 2 Resources
- 2 Discussions
- 9 Groups
- @rowan
- | they / them
Octophin Digital
Jack of all Trades. I've been a zoo keeper, a conservation geneticist and a web developer who specialises in conservation projects and orgs.
- 1 Resources
- 5 Discussions
- 15 Groups
Interested in bioacoustics
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 14 Groups
- @MandyEyrich
- | She/Her
University of Florida (UF)
Bridging industries with 15+ years of cross-sector expertise specializing in user-centric technology and product strategy, UX research, UX/UI design, process optimization, and end-to-end agile product development moving from ideation to iteration.
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 27 Groups
- @bknight
- | She/Her
I'm a software engineer with experience in bioinformatics, robotics, and machine learning alongside a never-ending penchant to use my skills for good. Looking for opportunities in conservation tech to apply my skills where most needed :)
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 7 Groups
- @tobiaspetri
- | he/him
Schäuffelhut Berger GmbH
data science & algorithmic developmentfor movement ecology
- 10 Resources
- 33 Discussions
- 10 Groups
- @srfreeze
- | He/Him
I am a wildlife expert with a decade of experience working with bats and proven success in efforts to study, manage, and conserve the species. I work at the nexus of advanced technologies and deep ecological understandings to provide effective solutions to government, academic, a
- 0 Resources
- 0 Discussions
- 11 Groups
Link
Scientists Solve Mount Everest Wildlife Mysteries Through the Use of eDNA
Stephanie O'Donnell
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.
14 September 2022
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...
14 September 2022
Careers
Conservation Technology Research Internship
Meredith Palmer
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
Careers
Post Doctoral researcher - DNA species detection technology
Natalie Schmitt
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
eDNA Postdoc in Seattle
Kate Bertko
Postdoc position focused on marine mammals, oceanography and eDNA!
15 July 2022
Careers
Multiple positions open at NatureMetrics
Carly Batist
Positions include ecological data scientist, bioinformatician, metabarcoding assay developer, bioinformatics engineer, marine eDNA product scientist & more
4 June 2022
Article
New wildlife forensics lab - Singapore
Carly Batist
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
Careers
Opportunity: Product Design Engineer
NatureMetrics
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
Article
News: The Latest in Conservation Tech
WILDLABS Team
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
Article
Measuring biodiversity from DNA in the air
Ellie Warren
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
Article
New Article: Environmental DNA Metabarcoding
WILDLABS Team
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
Community Announcement
Whether you spent the last year working in the field, lab, at home, or virtually, the WILDLABS community's conservation tech achievements were on full display in our annual #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge! Relive our...
25 March 2021
December 2023
6 Products
Recently updated products
| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hi @skirchgeorg , thanks for the additional info. We discuss again about this with my colleague and we were still hesitating with the drone, as it will still make some noise that... |
|
Drones, eDNA & Genomics | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| Hi Nabil,What medium do you want to sample for your eDNA (soil/air/water)? If its soil then you can simply collect a sample in a bag and freeze.This is a nice soil collection... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 3 months ago | |
| Hi all, I am trying to find simple pre-assembled eDNA sampling kits like these below but for sale in North America. Is that... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 3 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi Simon,We (Reneco International Wildlife Consultants) have an ongoing collaboration with a local University (Abu Dhabi, UAE) for developing AI tools (cameratrap/drone... |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Connectivity, Drones, Early Career, eDNA & Genomics, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Sensors | 4 months 1 week ago | |
| Hi Muhammed,If you want any help with ONT please contact me |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 4 months 2 weeks ago | |
| Hi Phil, Thanks for sharing - this is really interesting work! Seems like a cool integration of ground-based (or ocean-based) data and satellite data, with a community... |
|
Geospatial, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics | 7 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Thank you so much! Now everything is in the hands of amazing organizations and companies! But the first results of the Disaster Management cohort are bringing a very optimistic... |
|
AI for Conservation, Climate Change, Early Career, East Africa Community, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Human-Wildlife Conflict, Open Source Solutions | 9 months 3 weeks ago | |
| Hello everyone, I'm interested in gathering insights on how the behavior of different species impacts the development and efficacy of... |
|
Animal Movement, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation | 1 year 2 months ago | |
| Hi everyone. I'm still confused about this. Is it feasible to employ environmental DNA (eDNA) for the detection of two distinct communities... |
|
eDNA & Genomics | 1 year 2 months ago | |
| Thanks Aude, very useful. Will reach out to them! |
|
Early Career, Acoustics, eDNA & Genomics, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools | 1 year 4 months 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! |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Conservation Tech Training and Education, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Geospatial | 1 year 11 months ago | |
| Thanks so much!! |
|
Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Community Base, Data management and processing tools, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Open Source Solutions, Geospatial, Software Development | 2 years 7 months ago |
eDNA Innovation Grants
9 February 2024 4:26pm
Rapid onsite DNA test identifies bushmeat at airport
6 February 2024 3:47pm
Looking for a Supervisor/Research Group - ML-driven Marine Biomonitoring
3 January 2024 2:05pm
7 January 2024 6:06pm
Thanks Aude, very useful. Will reach out to them!
eDNA Collaborative Microgrants Program!
2 December 2023 8:51pm
AWMS Conference 2023
Biodiversity modelling in the AI era
23 October 2023 12:03pm
PhD Opportunity - Exploring synergies between statistical ecology and statistical genomics
20 October 2023 12:56pm
GEO BON Monitoring Biodiversity for Action
5 October 2023 3:10pm
Conservation Innovation Manager
27 September 2023 11:08pm
eDNA MOOC
22 September 2023 9:13am
CIEEM 2023 Autumn Conference: Modernising Ecology: Techniques and Approaches
5 September 2023 1:59pm
Identifying tundra predators with eDNA
29 August 2023 6:58pm
#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Judges' Panel Honorees
4 August 2023 10:00am
The Wildlife Society Conference
19 June 2023 5:59am
Accidentally gathering eDNA data from air monitoring filters
7 June 2023 8:13pm
Accidental DNA collection by air sensors could revolutionize wildlife tracking
Filters at air-pollution monitoring stations trap DNA from a multitude of flora and fauna, researchers find.
ISO Speakers for Emerging Technologies class.
31 May 2023 4:29pm
31 May 2023 10:21pm
Definitely interested! I'm in the ecoacoustics/acoustic monitoring space, working at Rainforest Connection and Arbimon.
2 June 2023 2:08pm
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!
From Everest to the Annamite Mountains: Applying molecular tools for conservation.
18 May 2023 5:06pm
Building a strong data foundation to measure impact for Nature-based Solutions
24 March 2023 8:56am
Using eDNA to survey Country: Traditional Owner Training & Certification Program (Part 3 of 3)
21 March 2023 4:44pm
How to interpret results and get the most out of eDNA data (Part 2 of 3)
21 March 2023 4:41pm
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
Lichen DNA Barcoding - From Sample to PCR product | Bento Lab
Learn how to extract and amplify DNA quickly and safely from lichens for lichen DNA barcoding.
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
Exploring the potential of eDNA as a conservation tool
10 February 2023 9:45am
Conservation Technology Intern (Vietnam)
11 January 2023 5:00pm
5 January 2024 11:07am
Hi Filippo,
Nice to read your message. Have you thought of contacting anyone in the Bioscience department at UCL? In our group "the People and Nature Lab", a few PhD students (Ben and Jason) are working on ML methods for coral reef monitoring. Might be interesting to reach out to them. List of People at CBER.
Best, Aude