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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Interested in bioacoustics
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- @bknight
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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 :)
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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
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Ecologist focused on wetland restoration in freshwater wetlands of the northeast USA
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Molecular ecologist and eDNA enthusiasist. Mammals, Southern Africa, fish otter, fishes in Europe
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Grad Student, UW-Stout, Beaver habitat biodiversity research, process based restoration
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I am an experienced ecologist and wildlife conservationist dedicated to preserving biodiversity. With expertise in wildlife conservation research, I lead projects to protect endangered species and restore ecosystems. I advocate for conservation policies & sustainable solutions.
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Wildlife Drones
Wildlife Drones has developed the world’s most innovative radio animal-tracking system using drones so you can track your radio-tagged animals like never before.
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I am a scientist with research background in evolutionary-ecological genomics and have impact at the senate level to prevent a government viral biocontrol release. UK based and looking to connect with passionate dreamers ready to shift paradigms
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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...
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November 2023
event
Stephanie O'Donnell
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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 |
New Article: Environmental DNA Metabarcoding
6 April 2021 12:00am
The 2021 #Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Community Highlights
25 March 2021 12:00am
Eurasian Otter Workshop to highlight Conservation Planning, Threats, and Research Advances for Monitoring Otter Populations
25 January 2021 5:09pm
Making the Most of Tech Tutors Season 2!
WILDLABS Team
30 November 2020 12:00am
Southern Right Whales & Genome and Satellite Technology
5 November 2020 12:00am
Tech Tutors: Review Session
WILDLABS Team
3 September 2020 12:00am
Tech Tutors: How do I use portable genomics in the field?
8 July 2020 11:55am
14 August 2020 4:14pm
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'll definitely want to check out Ineke's handy glossary!).
Ineke's happy to answer more questions, so ask away in here!
-Ellie
How do I use portable genomics in the field?
3 August 2020 12:00am
Competition: 2020 Hackaday Prize
26 May 2020 12:00am
Webinar: Non-invasive Conservation Genetics
Imogene Cancellare
13 May 2020 12:00am
Virtual Meetup Discussion: eDNA
5 December 2019 12:03pm
12 December 2019 8:23pm
Hey Alex,
Our pleasure! Yep, we will be uploading the recording along with our notes from the session to this page. We'll also upload the individual talks to our yourtube channel here. We'll have them up in the next few days, probably early next week.
We're starting to think through topics for next season - I'm interested to hear if there are any technologies/tools or questions you'd like us to cover?
Steph
12 December 2019 8:35pm
Thanks!
I know there was some discussion of bioacoustics--I'll echo this interest. I have no experience and will be deploying audiomoths in my study area in early spring, so I need to get up to speed quickly!
Alex
12 December 2019 8:41pm
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 talk at one of our previous meetups - Peter Prince's talk is here.
Steph
WILDLABS Virtual Meetup Recording: Environmental DNA (eDNA)
WILDLABS Team
22 October 2019 12:00am
Technology companies, FCO, and conservation NGOs come together to scale technology solutions to end wildlife crime
4 June 2019 12:00am
WILDLABS TECH HUB Showcase
WILDLABS Team
17 May 2019 12:00am
Meet the WILDLABS TECH HUB Winners
13 May 2019 12:00am
Processing blood? Centrifuge troubleshooting
26 February 2018 11:47pm
6 March 2018 10:07am
Do you want me to put you in touch with folks at my company who know the second hand lab supplies market extremely well and might be able to help you buy the right centrifuge second hand?
13 March 2018 7:09pm
@ffyngau out of interest, what are you using the centrifuge for? Avian health research in Denali NP? @mattypie thanks so much for your offer to help connect with an affordable supplier.
29 March 2018 11:25am
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 measuring hematocrit, perhaps using flat-bottomed vials which do fit (less accurate though)
2) taping capillary tube in the tubes that fit (flat against bottom for clay retention)
3) try taping two support rods across the top to hold opposing capillary tubes
— Rachel Skubel (@rachelskubel) March 29, 2018
Steph
Technology Empowered Conservation Lecture Series
18 January 2018 12:00am
FIT Cheetahs
4 December 2017 12:00am
Learning To Be A Detection Dog Handler: The Teachings of Rubble
3 November 2017 12:00am
Plant DNA sequencing
Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge: YIARI is helping protect slow lorises
23 June 2017 12:00am
#Tech4Wildlife Photo Challenge: Our favourites from 2016
1 March 2017 12:00am
Conservation Leadership Programme 2017 Award
21 November 2016 12:00am
CSI for the Sea: How Scientists Use DNA to Spy on Whales and Find 'Extinct' Fish
18 November 2016 12:00am
5 Smart Technologies That Will Crack Down On Wildlife Trafficking
14 November 2016 12:00am
Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act grants via USFWS
8 November 2016 12:00am
DNA in scent marks
28 January 2016 5:03pm
How you are you using eDNA?
Upcoming Conferences
25 January 2016 4:57pm
25 January 2016 5:01pm
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 metabarcoding: a useful tool in estuaries monitoring."
Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge: Winners Announced!
22 January 2016 12:00am
12 August 2020 9:49pm
Hi Wildlabbers,
We'll be using this thread for all follow-up questions and ongoing discussions after tomorrow's episode with Ineke! If you haven't registered yet, make sure you get your ticket here.
As always, we'll update this thread after the episode with the full tutorial and Q&A on our Youtube channel. We'll also share our collaborative notes and resources gathered from the episode's chat.
See you tomorrow for what will definitely be an exciting episode!
-Ellie