Environmental DNA (eDNA) Sampling and Analysis

Freshwater sampling for environmental DNA species detection and in-house analysis

At PSI we are committed to delivering the highest quality environmental DNA (eDNA) data to our clients. Our sampling, handling, and  analysis protocols are designed to meet or exceed industry standards, ensuring reliable and defensible results for biodiversity monitoring, environmental assessments, and regulatory reporting.

What Can eDNA Tell Us?

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful tool for understanding ecosystems. It can provide valuable insights such as:

– Species Presence
Detects which species are present in a specific location at the time of sampling, helping assess biodiversity and track changes over time.

– Habitat Use and Movement
Helps identify how endangered, migratory, and cryptic/elusive species move through and interact with their habitats.

– Environmental Health Indicators
Detects invasive species, harmful algal blooms, pathogens, and parasites – supporting water quality assessments.

– Ecosystem Insights
Can be used alongside other environmental data to better understand species  distribution and ecosystem dynamics.

What eDNA Can’t Tell Us

While eDNA is a powerful tool, it has  limitations:

– Live vs. Dead Organisms
eDNA cannot distinguish whether the DNA came from a living organism or one that has died.

– Resident vs. Transient Species
It cannot confirm whether a species is resident in the area or simply passed through recently.

– Exact Numbers
eDNA does not provide precise counts of individuals or species in an area.

– Biological Details
It cannot determine the size, age, sex, or life stage of the organisms detected, and hybrids may not be distinguishable if only mitochondrial DNA markers (i.e., reflects maternal lineage) are used.

– Confirmed Absence
A lack of eDNA does not guarantee a species is absent, it may simply not have been detected due to sampling limitations.

We are working toward accreditation of our eDNA sampling and analysis methods under the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard that outlines general requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. This reflects our commitment to delivering rigorous, high-quality data that meets international benchmarks for reliability, accuracy and traceability.