Innovations in Newt Survey and

Collaboration on Environmental DNA (eDNA) Applications in Ecological Consultancy

Paul Franklin

Principal Ecologist – Thomson Ecology

“See, Frank? Keep the light in their eyes and you can bag them without any trouble at all”

• eDNA is better than traditional methods for detecting the presence of great crested newts

• eDNA samples are far less time consuming to collect than traditional methods and results are rapid

• eDNA is more cost effective than conventional methods if GCN absent

The methodology for eDNA sampling must follow the technical advice note: Defra Science and Research Project WC1067

For great crested newts technique can be used between April 15th and June 30th (Natural England Guidance 2015)

Species for which eDNA method has been tested

Great Crested NewtPonds – 91 to 99%

OstrichSoil – 14%

European WeatherfishPonds/Ditches – 75 to 100%

European Pond TerrapinPonds – 60 to 100%

Eurasian OtterRivers/Streams – 27%

Red Swamp CrayfishPonds – 73%

Using eDNA metabarcoding a list of species can be generated from an eDNA sample

Future Applications for the use of eDNA in Ecological Consultancy

•Presence / likely absence survey for other protected species e.g. otter, water vole, fish, invertebrates

•Rapid biodiversity assessment of aquatic ecosystems e.g. species lists for fish and invertebrates

•Detection of invasive species e.g. aquatic plants, fish, crayfish

•Water quality monitoring through detection of sensitive invertebrate organisms e.g. stonefly and mayfly

•Rare species population monitoring

•Monitoring the impacts of environmental change