Innovation |
eDNA transforms reporting on nature
Developments in environmental DNA technology are helping to transform complex natural systems into a new data layer for the hydro industry
essential to find innovative solutions that provide increased sampling resolution and reduced sampling effort and cost. NatureMetrics is helping companies to achieve their corporate social responsibility goals, meet regulatory requirements and implement their net positive impact strategies. The company can detect invasive non-native species (INNS) and species of conservation concern, including terrestrial and semi- aquatic species, characterise fish and invertebrate communities and highlight sources of pollution. The environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring
approach helps water managers make more informed decisions to effectively mitigate impacts, while reducing effort, costs and safety risks commonly associated with conventional biodiversity survey methods.
Above: By collecting traces of DNA from the environment and sending them to NatureMetrics, it is now possible to generate data across the tree of life
Below: NatureMetrics eDNA kits have now been used in over 80 countries. The methods have been scientifically validated and anyone can collect a sample
THE WATER SECTOR IS faced with a growing need to report on biodiversity, yet monitoring has traditionally been costly and difficult to perform at scale. We are all challenged by the need for better data on nature, whether it is for assessing the impacts of business operations or monitoring the success of restoration efforts on biodiversity. NatureMetrics makes biodiversity surveys possible at scale by providing the tools for simple DNA collection from project sites, which can then be sent back to the company for analysis, generating data on unprecedented scales. As water sector companies balance increased demand with the move towards net zero 2030, it is
eDNA can be used to assist the development of sustainable hydropower. The information gathered from biodiversity data, especially when comparing baseline study data with post construction data, can assist with mitigating the impacts of these structures on the natural environment. In Sweden, NatureMetrics has a commercial partnership with AquaBiota, delivering over 40 eDNA projects in Swedish Freshwater ecosystems, in the Baltic Sea and in the Arctic for clients in hydropower, offshore wind and local government. The company can generate bigger data sets with lower risks to field teams, particularly when investigating fish
28 | August 2022 |
www.waterpowermagazine.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37
