eDNA TO THE RESCUE!

As well as helping us discover the truth about Nessie, eDNA has many other useful applications…

NEWT RESCUE

Great crested newts are protected by European law. When development work that could affect freshwater bodies is planned, some ecologists in the UK use eDNA techniques to check for the presence of the amphibians before any building takes place.

SHARK CONSERVATION

Sharks are a priority in ocean conservation. Yet as they have huge ranges, they can be difficult to monitor. By taking water samples from the Coral Sea and the Caribbean Sea, a research team identified the distributions of at least 21 species of shark, and proposed that eDNA could help generate conservation strategies.

SAVE THE WHALE

Scientists at Oregon State University want to use eDNA to investigate beaked whales. This elusive group of 23 species – some of which have never been seen alive – are tough to locate, which makes eDNA a handy tool to help us learn about these mysterious animals.

FISH FARMING

Every year, the aquaculture industry loses huge numbers of fish to disease. A team at James Cook University has used eDNA to detect bacteria and parasites in the water of farms, before any of the fish get ill. This will help farmers to kill off any bugs before they become a problem.