Monitoring amphibians 4.0
Prototype ‘e-DNA’ in use
Within the project Smart Environment Natura 2000 Living Lab, we have finally been able to use the prototype of our amphibians kit ‘e-DNA’. ‘E-DNA’ stands for ‘Environmental DNA’ and describes an innovative method for monitoring amphibians.
‘This opens up a whole new dimension and many new possibilities in nature conservation’, explains project assistant Elisabeth Wiegele and continues enthusiastically: ‘We are breaking new ground and setting new standards for biodiversity monitoring.’
When using e-DNA several water samples from a body of water, be it a pond or biotope, are taken. The genetical analysis of this data then not only shows if amphibians live there but which species – without the need to physically locate and count them.
The test kit was developed by Sinsoma GmbH. Last week we used the prototype of e-DNA in the Lakeside park Klagenfurt and Natura 2000 site Lendspitz-Maiernigg. DNA samples of 3 ponds are currently being analysed. Elisabeth and team are now eager to learn about the testing results.