Open AccessThe future of biodiversity monitoring and conservation utilizing environmental DNA
Author(s) -
Deiner Kristy,
Yamanaka Hiroki,
Bernatchez Louis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
environmental dna
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2637-4943
DOI - 10.1002/edn3.178
Subject(s) - environmental dna , biodiversity , biodiversity conservation , environmental resource management , environmental science , environmental planning , ecology , biology
Technology is often looked to as a means to an end. The explosion in use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for species detection is a great example of a technological discovery that is fueling new possibilities to study and quantify the state of change, but also the recovery and resiliency of the biosphere. The articles herein contribute to The Future of Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Utilizing Environmental DNA, by tackling methodological advances and validation, shedding light on the ecology of DNA in different contexts, revealing the use of eDNA to observe behavior of species and unravel diversity of large and hyperdiverse ecosystems. On the applied side, several contributions demonstrate the use of eDNA for detecting species invasions and restoration of populations after habitat restoration. Lastly, several contributions make efforts to reduce the learning curve for use of eDNA methods and inspire people about biodiversity through using eDNA surveys in education. Thus, this special issue shows the myriad of ways in which the scientific community is continually improving the utility of surveying eDNA for the purpose of measuring, monitoring, and understanding the biosphere.