Biodiversity conservation has entered a new era. It is no longer limited to tracking animals, cataloging plants, and direct observation. Today, scientists are turning to modern tools—ranging from environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to decades-old specimen archives, global species trait databases, and tree-ring analysis.
These approaches open new windows into the natural world and make it easier to study regions that would otherwise be difficult to access.
The Importance of New Innovations
Recent studies from around the world reveal how these innovations are transforming the way we monitor life on Earth, according to Down To Earth.
Although DNA has previously been used in conservation research, recent studies are taking the technology several steps further, making it part of a new wave in biodiversity science.
In the far northwest of China, the Kashgar River flows through part of the Ili River Basin, an area rich in biodiversity. However, studying this region has proven difficult due to its rugged terrain, seasonal ice cover, and limited resources for conducting regular surveys.
How researchers overcame the challenge
To address this problem, researchers from the Marine Ecology and Environmental Science Laboratory at the Institute of Oceanology, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the College of Fisheries at Ocean University of China, and the Xinjiang Fisheries Research Institute turned to environmental DNA (eDNA) barcoding. This method involves collecting water samples and identifying traces of DNA shed by fish. The team collected 37 samples across two seasons, April and September, from 21 sites spanning both the upper and lower stretches of the river.
Matching DNA with Known Fish Species
The collected DNA was filtered, sequenced, and matched against known fish species using bioinformatics tools. Approximately 166 fish species were identified, including members of the cyprinid family as well as rare endemic species.
Clear seasonal changes in species composition were observed, with lower diversity in areas subject to higher human influence, such as sites near hydropower stations.
eDNA is Faster than Traditional Methods
The study demonstrated that environmental DNA (eDNA) can be faster, less invasive, and more comprehensive than traditional survey methods, making it a valuable tool for monitoring fish communities in remote rivers.
While eDNA reveals organisms inhabiting ecosystems today, other scientists are using archived natural materials to study the past. In Germany, the Environmental Specimen Bank stores samples such as tree leaves, seagrass (Zostera marina), blue mussels, and zebra mussels.
Researchers in Germany Analyze 550 Samples from Marine Sites
Researchers at the University of Trier in Germany analyzed 550 samples collected over nearly four decades from terrestrial, marine, and freshwater sites.
Using DNA metabarcoding techniques, the team identified more than 66,000 unique taxonomic units, ranging from bacteria and fungi to algae and invertebrates.
