Case Study: Monitoring Biodiversity - More automated eDNA collection and analysis
Biodiversity and ecosystems are rapidly changing due to climate change, but our data on where those changes are occurring is severely limited. Genetic material from organisms in the environment, known as eDNA, is a key source of biodiversity information; its use could greatly expand if government agencies adopt more automated methods of gathering it. To date, limited understanding of eDNA, a patchwork of processes, and few standards for using it have slowed down adoption and left information gaps that hamper sound decision-making on conservation, protection, and restoration efforts.
To begin to change this, we recommend the following:
Creating teams and criteria to evaluate eDNA technologies can accelerate adoption, help agencies find the right tools for their use cases, and avoid unnecessary bottlenecks.
Clear and flexible directives from authoritative national bodies would immediately encourage the use of eDNA and technology to meet specific conservation and restoration needs.
Current eDNA standards development, data collection, and technology evaluations are disconnected and should be better coordinated with a strategy, and an action-oriented forum, for interagency collaboration.
Like this idea and want to get in touch? Contact Reed Van Beveren at reed@policyinnovation.org.
