Industry Guidelines Now Available: Using eDNA to Manage Biodiversity risk

In this industry briefing note by NatureMetrics and The Biodiversity Consultancy, we see how eDNA technologies are valuable for understanding and mitigating biodiversity impacts at every stage of a project lifecycle.

min read

Contributors:

NatureMetrics

The Biodiversity Consultancy

We are thrilled to share our new Industry Briefing Note titled “Using Environmental DNA to manage biodiversity risks” in collaboration with The Biodiversity Consultancy.

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At a glance

eDNA technologies are valuable for understanding and mitigating biodiversity impacts at every stage of a project lifecycle. This rapid and cost-effective technique provides useful species and habitat data to inform project design and biodiversity monitoring.

eDNA analysis uses a non-invasive genetic technique to monitor species presence/absence and distribution. eDNA consists of small fragments of genetic material left in the environment by organisms.
eDNA present in a water, sediment or soil sample is sequenced and compared with DNA sequences available in open global genetic databases, e.g. GenBank or Bold, through a process called metabarcoding.
During early project scoping, eDNA can quickly confirm if species of interest are present, helping to focus the design of biodiversity mitigation and management.
During construction and operations, eDNA can complement traditional monitoring techniques, enabling fast, regular monitoring of species presence and distribution and changes in habitat quality.

This Industry Briefing Note includes:

Simplified eDNA process
Benefits, opportunities and limitations of using eDNA
When is eDNA most likely to be useful?
Integrating eDNA into project surveys
Purpose
Role / potential value-add of eDNA
How?
Case study: Peru
Selected project examples
The future of eDNA

Find out more

If you would like to integrate eDNA monitoring into your project, or need advice on the next steps, contact our team today for expert advice. Whether it’s an aquatic survey in the tropics, or a sediment survey offshore, we can help you to generate better data on biodiversity.

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