The first-ever inventory of species in Canada provides astonishing and pleasing results. While it is estimated that one species goes extinct every ten minutes worldwide1 and we are therefore heading for an alarming loss of biodiversity, a large number of organisms can be detected on Porcher Island using eDNA analysis.
Find out more about eDNA and biodiversity, as well as our eDNA pilot project with ETH Zurich and the Audi Environmental Foundation .
Our protected areas in Canada are among the most biodiverse places in the world.
In order to see whether and how our work affects the biodiversity of our protected areas, a measuring instrument like eDNA is worth its weight in gold. After all, we don't just want to talk about nature conservation, we want to put it into practice in a meaningful and efficient way. In June 2024, we took 19 samples on site from 3 ecosystem types; 10 of them as water samples, 9 as surface samples.
The majority of the samples have already been analyzed and the results speak for themselves: both the freshwater and saltwater samples show an enormous biodiversity. Alone 102 insect species can be found in the fresh water of the moors and rivers. These include a large number of beetles and mosquito species. Other classes such as arachnids, branchiopods, Clitellata, Collembola, Diplopoda and Hexanauplia are also represented. On average, 31 species per sample were identified and cataloged. The resulting high evolutionary diversity indicates that the ecosystem studied is resilient.
Several species of mammals were also found: In addition to amphibious creatures such as the western toad or the cross-toothed newt, many birds - including, of course, the bald eagle - as well as voles and a mink.
The American mink not only visited us frequently in our camp - we were also able to detect it in our eDNA samples.
A total of 70 invertebrates and 50 vertebrates were detected in the saltwater samples. These included sponges, worms, water fleas and also many fish, birds as well as mink and sea cats. Here too, the high species richness speaks for a healthy and, above all, functioning ecosystem. The evolutionary diversity at altitude, as found here, indicates an increasing resilience of the species community living there.
A total of 225 species were detected across all the samples already analyzed. This corresponds to an average of 40 species per sample. As only a few of the creatures can be seen with the naked eye, it is precisely these species that are often overlooked when recording biodiversity. They fly under the radar because they are simply too small. And yet they contribute more to biodiversity than almost any other class or genus. In addition, the idea that identification using eDNA is also subject to certain limitations should not be neglected.
Test data is usually analyzed using the PCR method - the DNAs found are compared with those that are already known. This means that if species are present in the samples that have not yet been identified, they cannot be determined initially. In addition to eDNA detection, other methods were also used to obtain results: audio sensors, underwater cameras, field observations and further monitoring found additional bird species, orcas and insects. The results of the monitoring are still being collected and structured and will be published by Wilderness International from 2025.
Felix and Jacob with marine biologist Tyra preparing the underwater camera (BRUV)
The first inventory of species on Porcher Island is now a good foundation for future research. The baseline has been established, now time can show how the circumstances and biodiversity change over time.
However, as reliable comparative data from other environments and ecosystems is still lacking, it will also be exciting when more of this data is available from other environments. In a few years' time, for example, the values of a sparsely populated area could be compared with those of a heavily populated area. Or investigate how sustainable agricultural methods, such as agroforestry practices, affect biodiversity.
The possibilities seem almost endless - if the data situation allows it. We continue to work tirelessly on transparency and clarification: the data from the surface samples is still being analyzed. However, the initial results show that it is worth establishing new methods, such as eDNA sampling, in our biodiversity monitoring.
We are also extremely excited about the results of our inventory in Peru2. Data analysis has also begun here. Thanks to the initial results, we are now even more eagerly awaiting the data from Peru.
Text: Sarah Sassenhagen
1https://www.uni-muenster.de/news/view.php?cmdid=10285
2Aucone, E. et al: Drone-assisted collection of environmental DNA from tree branches for biodiversity monitoring. Science Robotics, 2023 (74),
https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/scirobotics.add5762
