Conventional biodiversity monitoring is usually very time-consuming and costly. As part of the environmental DNA project (eDNA for short) launched in March 2024, Wilderness International and ETH Zurich, with the support of the Audi Foundation for the Environment and drones from DJI , are therefore testing a completely new type of eDNA collection. This is not only fast, minimally invasive and precise, makes unexplored regions accessible and closes research gaps, but is also cheaper than conventional methods in the long term.
Biodiversity research from the air! In collaboration with experts from ETH Zurich and with the support of the Audi Environmental Foundation and DJI, we are conducting a pioneering project in which we are using drones to study biodiversity in our protected areas.
For the new project, the Environmental Robotics Lab at ETH Zurich has developed a robot for a Matrice drone, which DJI is providing for the project. The robot is able to take eDNA samples, making it possible to determine which animal and plant species have been present at a particular location. Thanks to the drones used, samples can not only be collected much faster and more effectively, but also in places that are otherwise difficult to reach, such as the treetops of giant jungle trees. While there is a high density of data for the area close to the ground, the upper layers of the rainforest are still virtually unexplored in this respect, even though this is where 60-90% of biodiversity is found. This pilot project enables Wilderness International to obtain important information on biodiversity in protected areas in a short time and at low cost. The project gives ETH Zurich the opportunity to test the new technique and compare the results with those of traditional methods. So far, 36 samples have been taken by drone at 3 locations in the foundation's Peruvian protected areas.
Every organism leaves traces in its environment, for example by shedding and losing hair or excreting secretions and excrement. We can then examine these traces for DNA strands and determine the species from which the DNA originates. Even the smallest amounts of DNA are sufficient, as the method is extremely sensitive. Ultimately, we hope to use this new method to determine the true value of these species-rich hotspots in order to effectively promote the conservation of intact ecosystems and the restoration of degraded ones.
Steffen Kirchgeorg
PhD student at ETH Zurich
For several years now, Wilderness International has been working with the local research organization Fauna Forever to collect biodiversity data in its protected areas in the Amazon rainforest in Peru using conventional methods. This data is used to select new potential conservation areas, to make the impact of conservation work tangible for donors and to support basic research in the respective areas. Until the new method has proven itself, the results will be compared with conventional research findings.
The DJI Matrice drone with the ETH Zurich robot on its way into the treetops.
The pilot project can only be carried out thanks to cooperation with committed partners:
Biodiversity monitoring based on drone-based eDNA surveys and analysis is groundbreaking for Wilderness International's conservation work. We are currently testing this methodology in connection with the monitoring of already protected areas and plan to revolutionize the selection of areas still to be protected with this methodology in the future. This will allow us to deploy our resources in a much more targeted manner and achieve valid results more quickly. This would enable us to place primeval forest areas under nature conservation even faster in the future
Kai Andersch
CEO Wilderness International
As the technology can be applied globally, the project is helping to open up new horizons in global biodiversity research. Following the test phase in Peru, Wilderness International can now also use this new research method in protected areas in Canada. So far, little biodiversity data is available for these areas - the eDNA samples could therefore also close large gaps in knowledge there.
The study on the new method of eDNA collection can be viewed here.
