Analysing biodiversity with eDNA
Discover a revolutionary method for analyzing biodiversity–both visible and invisible–in all types of ecosystems. With environmental DNA (eDNA), IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute offers a groundbreaking technique that provides a deeper and more detailed understanding of biodiversity without disturbing the ecosystem.
What is Environmental DNA?
All organisms leave genetic traces in the environment, such as through skin cells, feces, fur, eggs, sperm, or plant material. These DNA traces, unique to each species, can be analyzed to map the biodiversity in a specific environment, whether it is in forests, water bodies, or industrial settings.
Benefits of Environmental DNA
Environmental DNA offers higher resolution and efficiency compared to traditional methods. It can reveal hidden biodiversity, including microorganisms, unknown species, and genetic variation within species—something that might be difficult to detect with conventional methods. It has also proven to be a highly powerful method for early detection of invasive species, which is crucial for successful intervention. By analyzing DNA directly from a sample, you get a more accurate picture of the ecosystem’s diversity than through traditional field studies. Learn more about environmental DNA.
Hire IVL for:
- Trategic Consulting: How to best integrate eDNA into your operations.
- Metabarcoding and DNA Sequencing: For the identification and analysis of species diversity.
- qPCR Analysis: For precise analysis of individual species.
- Metagenomic Sequencing: For example, of bacteria, to reveal the full genetic variation.
- Bioinformatic Analysis: To process and interpret DNA data in a meaningful way.
