DNA Technologies
Specialising in detailed
high-quality assessments
Bespoke
biodiversity consultancy
Integrating technological
developments
Our DNA Services will follow the same four-step delivery approach as our Core Services:
Assessment
Analysis
Strategic Solutions
Delivery
ENVIRONMENTAL DNA (eDNA):
A Powerful Tool for Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation
Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a relatively new and exciting technology that has emerged in recent years as a powerful tool for biodiversity monitoring and conservation. It involves the extraction and analysis of DNA fragments shed by organisms into their surrounding environment, such as soil, water, or air. eDNA has become increasingly popular in the scientific community due to its non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly sensitive nature, which makes it an ideal tool for detecting rare or elusive species, monitoring invasive species, and tracking changes in biodiversity over time.
Our staff at IBC have been using innovative eDNA for over 10 years covering projects in the United Kingdom, Southeast Asia and Asia Pacific. Use of eDNA analysis to support and supplement traditional survey methods has also led to revealed important ecological communities, IUCN Red Listed Threatened Species and Invasive Alien Species. IBC staff have worked on large-scale as well as small scale studies together with single-species and meta-barcoding multi-species eDNA methods.
Applications of eDNA
Species Detection
and Identification
One of the most common applications of eDNA is species detection and identification. By analysing DNA fragments found in environmental samples, IBC Ecologists can identify the presence of specific species in an area without the need for direct observation or capture. This is particularly useful for monitoring rare (IUCN Red Listed Threatened or elusive species, endemic/restricted-range species, migratory or congregatory species (all of which could trigger IFC Critical Habitat). In addition, eDNA can also identify invasive species, which can be difficult to detect using traditional methods.
Biodiversity
Monitoring
eDNA can also be used to monitor changes in biodiversity or ecological systems over time. By analysing DNA fragments from multiple samples taken over a period of time, IBC Ecologists can track changes in the abundance and distribution of species, as well as the overall health of an ecosystem. This information can be used to inform conservation efforts and help prioritise areas for protection.
Aquatic Ecosystem
Management
eDNA has been particularly useful in the management of aquatic ecosystems, where traditional monitoring methods can be costly and time-consuming. By analysing DNA fragments found in water samples, IBC Ecologists can identify the presence of aquatic species, including fish, amphibians, and invertebrates, and monitor changes in their abundance over time. This information can be used to inform conservation efforts and help manage fisheries and other aquatic resources.
Disease
Detection
eDNA has also been used to detect the presence of pathogens in environmental samples. By analysing DNA fragments found in soil, water, or air samples, researchers can identify the presence of disease-causing organisms, such as bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This information can be used to monitor the spread of diseases and inform public health efforts.
Eco-Hydraulic
Monitoring
IBCʼs consultants have utilised eDNA community data and incorporated it into ecohydraulic models to determine impact on sensitive macroinvertebrates and fish subject to river velocity changes.
A FOCUS ON eDNA META-BARCODING
Meta-barcoding is a technique that uses high-throughput sequencing to analyse multiple DNA samples at once, which means it can identify many species. It involves the extraction and amplification of a specific DNA region (barcode) from environmental samples, followed by sequencing and analysis of the resulting DNA fragments. Meta-barcoding is often used in conjunction with eDNA analysis to identify the species present in an environmental sample.
Recent advances in meta-barcoding has led to several advantages. It allows for the rapid and cost-effective analysis of large numbers of samples, making it ideal for biodiversity monitoring and conservation studies. Meta-barcoding also provides a more comprehensive picture of the species present in an environmental sample, as it can identify multiple species at once.
Meta-barcoding can be used to identify a variety of organisms, from microbes to animals and plants. For example, it has been used to identify fish species in water samples, plant species in soil samples, and insect species in air samples. It can also be used to detect invasive species and monitor changes in biodiversity over time.
START USING eDNA WITH IBC
eDNA is a powerful tool for biodiversity monitoring and conservation. Its non-invasive, cost-effective, and highly sensitive nature makes it an ideal tool for detecting rare or elusive species, monitoring invasive species, and tracking changes in biodiversity over time. Its applications are wide-ranging and include species detection and identification, biodiversity monitoring, forensic investigations, aquatic ecosystem management, and disease detection.
As eDNA technology continues to evolve, it has the potential to revolutionise the way we monitor and manage the world's ecosystems. IBC have considerable experience with the design of studies and use of eDNA with large scale projects and long-term monitoring – contact us for more information.
