One of the main challenges linked to biodiversity conservation is the lack of basic information on distribution, population and threats. Data can be obtained at the individual species level and then compared with other species to deduce what is happening in a given ecosystem. But this is partial information, since In this case the sum of individualities does not equal the complete picture.This is how the environmental DNA technique, or eDNA, was born. A technology that is now beginning to be used with drones.
Environmental DNA is based on obtaining samples in a non-invasive manner with the aim of sequencing the genetics of many organisms at the same time, both in terrestrial and aquatic environments. eDNA also enables early detection of invasive species, as well as the detection of rare and/or difficult-to-detect species and the study of a species’ diet. Therefore, its potential in biological research seems almost unlimited.
The technique is also applied to understand the dynamics of an ecosystem and what consequences (positive or negative) human intervention or climate change can generate, but it also directly involves us humans because It can alert us to pollution, population health problems or biological and health changes in the environment.such as the increase of a certain virus in the region.
With this in mind, a team from the Environmental Robotics Laboratory at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) in Zurich, the NGO Wilderness International and the Audi Environmental Foundation have adapted DJI Matrice drones (with advice from their manufacturer) to Collect environmental DNA from previously inaccessible regionssignificantly improving the accuracy and efficiency of biodiversity research.
Matrice drones are equipped with a robotic arm specially developed by ETH to collect samples from treetops, areas rich in biodiversity but difficult to access. This method is not only faster and minimally invasive, but also provides a cost-effective solution to long-standing research gaps in unexplored regions.
Basically, the drone flies over the selected location and once identified, a piece of material, similar to a cloth, is lowered down to collect the samples. To do this, the drone must not only be stable, but also It is important to be as quiet as possible so as not to be perceived as a threat. for animals and has a long-lasting battery that charges quickly. The Matrice 300 drone can reach a speed of 82 km/h, its GPS has a precision of 10 centimeters and it is capable of flying for almost an hour straight.
Thanks to this, it is possible to study the biodiversity of the upper layers of the tropical forest, where it is estimated that between 60% and 90% of the species residebut historically they have not been sufficiently sampled due to accessibility issues. Since the start of the project, 36 samples have been collected in three locations in the Peruvian rainforest, areas protected by Wilderness International.
“Monitoring biodiversity using drone sampling and eDNA analysis is groundbreaking for conservation work,” explains Kai Andersch, CEO of Wilderness International. “This methodology not only improves our ability to monitor already protected areas, but also promises to revolutionize the identification of new conservation areasallowing us to protect primary forests more efficiently.”
Looking ahead, Wilderness International plans to expand the use of this technology in its conservation areas in Canadawhere existing biodiversity data are limited. The global application of this method has the potential to address important knowledge gaps in biodiversity research worldwide.