eDNA Metabarcoding

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding detects and identifies species present in environmental samples (water, soil, air) by sequencing short DNA fragments released by organisms. Developed by Taberlet and colleagues (2012), this approach has revolutionized biodiversity monitoring: species can be surveyed without capture, observation, or complex sampling designs. Metabarcoding sequences millions of DNA fragments, identifies reads taxonomically, and assigns them to species. The method is non-invasive, rapid, and cost-effective, enabling large-scale biodiversity surveys and early detection of cryptic or rare species.