Air-collected environmental DNA (eDNA) is a revolutionary new method for detecting and recording a wide range of animal species, providing an innovative non-invasive technique for monitoring biodiversity in nature, according to two new independent scientific studies.
The two research teams, one from Denmark and one from Britain and Canada, published in the journal Current Biology, collected air samples from two European zoos, one in Britain and one in Denmark. One study was led by Christine Bowman, an associate professor of molecular ecology at the University of Copenhagen’s Globe Institute, and the other was led by Elizabeth Clare, an assistant professor of molecular ecology at the University of York in Canada.
Each group used a different method to analyze the airborne DNA, but both were able to detect the presence of many different animal species in and around the two zoos. The results of both studies exceeded the expectations of scientists.
According to Claire, “When we analyzed the collected samples, we were able to identify DNA from 25 different species of animals, such as tigers, lemurs and dingoes, 17 of which are known zoo species. We were also able to collect environmental DNA from animals hundreds of meters away from the sampling points, without significantly diluting the sample collection, even outside of sealed buildings. “The animals were trapped inside, but their DNA escaped into the air.”
Ms Bowman said: “We were surprised to see the results. “With just 40 samples, we detected 49 species, such as mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and fish.” In addition, both groups detected species from areas around the zoos, as well as the presence of various zoo animal foods, such as chickens, cows, horses and fish, through environmental DNA.
The scientists noted that air DNA could be used in the future to detect and monitor wildlife, which would ultimately contribute to efforts to conserve biodiversity on the planet, especially in endangered and inaccessible places. . “These animals no longer need to be visible to us to know that they are actually in the area, as long as we collect traces of their DNA in the air,” said Claire.
Living organisms excrete genetic material (DNA) in a variety of ways as they interact with their environment. Aquatic eDNA has long been used to map marine species, but only now is something similar being done with air and land animals. Technical difficulties are not lacking, as the air surrounds everything and so the risk of “contamination” of genetic samples is high. Further research will be needed to refine the method, but the way is now open.
Another recent study, published in the journal Ecology and Evolution “BMC Ecology & Evolution”, according to “Science”, found that the analysis of DNA samples of plants escaping into the air can reveal in time – before they spread – foreign invasive species that have infiltrated an area, as well as to help draw conclusions about the long-term impact of climate change on biodiversity. Air eDNA analysis could, in the future, even be used to detect the presence of humans in an area.
As is well known to those suffering from seasonal allergies, many plants shed pollen into the air, the analysis of which can help detect invisible or ancient plants, but this technique has several limitations. DNA released into the air, such as pollen, can produce better results and allow for the “mapping” of entire plant ecosystems. On the other hand, according to scientists, humans are – at least even – better at detecting very rare plants with their eyes, which do not release much genetic material into the air.
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