eDNA (environmental DNA)
Definition
DNA shed by organisms into the surrounding environment through skin cells, mucus, faeces, urine, or decomposition. Collected from water, soil, air, or surface swabs and analysed to detect species presence without capturing individuals.
Related terms
- Acoustic monitoring
- Continuous recording of environmental sound to detect specific sound events, such as gunshots, chainsaws, or vehicle engines, that indicate illegal activity. Machine-learning...
- Camera-trap AI
- Machine-learning models trained on labelled camera-trap images to classify species, individual animals (by spot or stripe patterns), and human activities. Can process...
- Change detection
- A remote sensing technique that compares satellite or aerial images from different dates to identify areas where land cover has changed. Used...
- Metabarcoding
- High-throughput sequencing of a barcode locus from a bulk environmental or mixture sample, identifying all taxa present from a reference database. Used...
- SMART (Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool)
- Open-source software for recording, analysing, and reporting on ranger patrol activity and wildlife observations. Allows adaptive management of patrol effort based on...
Explained in
- Environmental DNA and Emerging Detection TechnologiesDNA shed by organisms into the surrounding environment through skin cells, mucus, faeces, urine, or decomposition. Collected from water, soil, air, or surface...