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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Worked as a mechanical engineer for a defence co, then software engineer, then for a research lab specialising in underwater robotics.
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- @Arjun_Viswa
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Conservationist | Ecologist| Geospatial Scientist
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- @tobiaspetri
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Schäuffelhut Berger GmbH
data science & algorithmic development for movement ecology
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- @MandyEyrich
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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.
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Rutgers University
Lead Estuary Science Coordinator at the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary and Masters Student at Rutgers University in the Department of Ecology and Evolution. Using bioacoustics in tidal marsh ecosystems for restoration and conservation.
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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.
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Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Biologist/Professor focusing on carnivore conservation in Ecuador
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My research focuses on using Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) to study endangered species, including carnivores, chiropterans (bats), and lizards, as well as their microbiomes.
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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.
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PhD Student in Disease Ecology, Taxonomy and biomonitoring in Central Africa
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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
Article
Southern Right Whales & Genome and Satellite Technology
WILDLABS Team
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
Competition: 2020 Hackaday Prize
Conservation X Labs
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
Article
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
Article
Meet the WILDLABS TECH HUB Winners
WILDLABS Team
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
FIT Cheetahs
Larissa Slaney
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
Article
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
December 2023
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
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| 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 | 9 years 6 months ago | |
| Please share your experiences and how you are using eDNA. |
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eDNA & Genomics | 9 years 6 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 | 9 years 6 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 | 9 years 7 months ago | |
| Thank you for sharing! |
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eDNA & Genomics | 9 years 7 months ago | |
| Dear eDNA community, Take a look at this eDNA news blog: http://www.spygen.com/blog/ |
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eDNA & Genomics | 9 years 8 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 | 9 years 8 months ago |
The Inventory User Guide
1 May 2024 12:46pm
Introducing The Inventory!
1 May 2024 12:46pm
23 July 2024 2:05pm
23 July 2024 2:53pm
How does behavior influence the use of technology for animal detection ?
22 March 2024 7:49pm
eDNA from terrestrial plant
10 March 2024 8:47am
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Contrasting strengths of eDNA and electrofishing compared to historic records for assessing fish community diversity and composition
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New DNA tests achieve first convictions for raptor thefts
13 February 2024 7:12pm
eDNA Collaborative: Small Grants Application for Marine eDNA Research
12 February 2024 7:45pm
Experiment
crowdfunding science research funding crowdsourcing experiment openaccess
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
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
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
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Conservation Innovation Manager
27 September 2023 11:08pm
eDNA MOOC
22 September 2023 9:13am
1 August 2025 10:21am
CIEEM 2023 Autumn Conference: Modernising Ecology: Techniques and Approaches
5 September 2023 1:59pm
Identifying tundra predators with eDNA
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#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.
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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
22 July 2024 10:55am