eDNA and GIS for Powerful and Scalable Biodiversity Monitoring – Part 2
Imagine detecting elusive species, tracking invasive organisms, and monitoring ecosystem health—all without disturbing the environment. This is the power of environmental DNA (eDNA), a new tool that captures genetic traces left behind by organisms in water, soil, and air. Combined with the power of GIS, this genetic data can be transformed into actionable insights by mapping species distributions, identifying biodiversity hotspots, and predicting the impacts of climate change.
This blog post was written by Dr. Mohamed Ahmed (Esri Canada) and Beverly McClenaghan (eDNAtec). Beverly is the Ecology Lead at eDNAtec, where she oversees field sampling operations as well as analysis and interpretation of eDNA data for projects around the world.
The rapid decline of global biodiversity demands innovative solutions for monitoring species and ecosystems, alongside strategies to halt and reverse this trend. Non-intrusive methods are particularly crucial given that many species are facing extinction due to human activities and the impacts of climate change. As highlighted in our previous blog post, Environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionizing biodiversity monitoring by allowing scientists to detect and identify species from environmental samples, such as water, soil, and air. eDNA analysis can capture genetic traces from a wide array of organisms, enabling comprehensive assessments of ecosystems without the need for direct observation or capture. Using GIS to display eDNA data spatially can enhance our ability to visualize and analyze the data, providing insights into species distribution and ecosystem health across various landscapes.
By integrating eDNA data with GIS capabilities, researchers can effectively monitor entire ecosystems, pinpoint endangered or invasive species, and evaluate the impacts of environmental changes. This approach not only enables the establishment of biodiversity baselines but also enhances our ability to track human influences on ecosystems, such as habitat destruction and resource extraction. For example, the eDNAtec team collected eDNA samples in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, an ecologically and biologically significant area known for its diverse habitats, including eelgrass meadows, salmon rivers, capelin spawning beaches, and marine mammal habitats. Placentia Bay also supports an active fishing community along a major shipping route. These samples were integrated with GIS to map the distribution of harmful algae and invasive species, identify newly introduced non-indigenous species, and determine which eDNA sample substrates (water, sediment, bulk plankton samples) are most effective for species detection.
To visualize and understand the hidden patterns in these eDNA complex data, we can use ArcGIS Insights, ArcGIS Dashboards, or ArcGIS Knowledge. These tools enable seamless integration, analysis, and visualization of spatial and non-spatial data, allowing researchers and decision-makers to track biodiversity trends and generate actionable insights for ecosystem management. GIS also facilitates the modelling of future scenarios, allowing us to predict how ecosystems might respond to ongoing climate change and habitat degradation. By harnessing the power of eDNA and GIS, we can significantly improve our efforts to protect our planet's ecosystems and take meaningful steps toward biodiversity conservation. For instance, this tutorial uses layers from the ArcGIS Living Atlas of the World to analyze the extent of conserved areas in Kenya and assess additional conservation needs to achieve the 30x30 goal (Thirty-by-thirty refers to efforts by the global community to conserve 30% of terrestrial and marine habitat by 2030).
Read the story map below to learn more about eDNA, how GIS can be used for mapping eDNA data, and the advantages of combining eDNA with GIS to create powerful tools for biodiversity monitoring.