Imagine how cool it would be to detect rare or invasive species, study biodiversity or to estimate fish abundance with just a scoop of air or a dip of water. It’d be like science fiction come true. Well, science fiction is indeed becoming reality through a new sampling technology called environmental DNA.
Environmental DNA can be used in two ways. One is to identify the suite of creatures around a place. The other is to confirm the presence or absence of a specific critter, typically an invasive or endangered species.
Caren Goldberg runs the new eDNA lab at Washington State University in Pullman. She’s one of the first biologists in the Northwest to take the tool from demonstration experiments to practical application.
“It is extremely useful for species that are really hard to find,” says Goldberg.
Goldberg sees potential to get answers more efficiently, safely and with less destruction compared to traditional survey techniques such as electrofishing, snorkeling or netting.