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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American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) & National Geographic Society
Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Biology at Boston University studying non-human primate genomics and evolution.
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Principal Statistician for Ecology and Environmental Science with Biomathematics and Statistics Scotland.
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Board of Directors, Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group. Interests include AI applications supporting salmonid species recovery
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Peruvian biologist working on Andean bear conservation in the Peruvian Andes
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- @oag.gimenez
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French scientist working at the interface of animal ecology, statistical modeling and social sciences on the impact of human activities on population dynamics and species distribution and the management of large mammals.
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Stanford University
Doctoral Research at Stanford University | Interested in data science and observational approaches for issues in coastal health
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Associate Prof. working on hidden biodiversity with eDNA in terrestrial and marine environments
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Wildlife Biologist and Conservation Scientist
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Junior machine learning engineer with a background in data science and physics
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Article
Join us in celebrating this year’s Community Choice Award winners!
15 August 2024
Article
Vote for your favorite submissions that best demonstrate conservation impact, novel innovation/discovery, and strong storytelling of the work and the sector.
12 August 2024
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New WILDLABS Funding & Finance group
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WildLabs will soon launch a 'Funding and Finance' group. What would be your wish list for such a group? Would you be interested in co-managing or otherwise helping out?
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Funding
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3 June 2024
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Share Your Work in a Conservation Technology Video
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Do you have photos and videos of your conservation tech work? We want to include them in a conservation technology showcase video
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The Inventory User Guide
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Read in detail about how to use The Inventory, our new living directory of conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects.
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Introducing The Inventory!
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The Inventory is your one-stop shop for conservation technology tools, organisations, and R&D projects. Start contributing to it now!
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Link
This study investigated the accuracy of eDNA and electrofishing as alternative methods for assessing diversity.
14 February 2024
Article
A set of highly discriminating STR DNA markers developed in a collaboration between the SASA wildlife forensics lab and University of Leicester researchers is being used to detect laundering of wild peregrine falcons...
13 February 2024
The eDNA Collaborative is partnering with Experiment to offer $80,000 in small grants to support projects that demonstrate novel approaches in marine eDNA collection, analysis, or application. Submission Deadline:...
12 February 2024
Article
eDNA Innovation Grants
Shana Hirsch
eDNA Collaborative and Experiment Partner to Provide $80K in Grants--Apply Now!
9 February 2024
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A portable nanopore DNA sequencer has been used to determine the species of origin of bushmeat intercepted at Brussels Airport during a day of baggage searches.
6 February 2024
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| Description | Activity | Replies | Groups | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hola, Alen! I'm a veterinarian too and this device is being developed thinking of you and your colleagues. We want field veterinarians to be able to collect more samples with less... |
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Emerging Tech, eDNA & Genomics | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| Thank you for your reply, ChadI meant 10 as a whole, indeed. Perhaps you see your post in one group, but since it is tagged for all groups, I assumed you meant 10 in total.In your... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Climate Change, Community Base, Connectivity, Drones, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Funding and Finance, Geospatial, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Software Development, Wildlife Crime | 1 month 3 weeks ago | |
| 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... |
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Drones, eDNA & Genomics | 4 months 2 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... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 5 months 3 weeks 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... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 6 months 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... |
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Acoustics, AI for Conservation, Animal Movement, Camera Traps, Citizen Science, Connectivity, Drones, Early Career, eDNA & Genomics, Marine Conservation, Protected Area Management Tools, Sensors | 6 months 4 weeks ago | |
| Hi Muhammed,If you want any help with ONT please contact me |
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eDNA & Genomics | 7 months 1 week 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... |
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Geospatial, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics | 10 months 2 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... |
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AI for Conservation, Climate Change, Early Career, East Africa Community, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Ending Wildlife Trafficking Online, Human-Wildlife Coexistence, Open Source Solutions | 1 year ago | |
| 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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Animal Movement, Acoustics, Camera Traps, eDNA & Genomics, Emerging Tech, Marine Conservation | 1 year 4 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... |
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eDNA & Genomics | 1 year 5 months 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 | 1 year 7 months ago |
