eDNA Analysis at Crestwood Crestwood Environmental are delighted to announce that we have started provision of a new in-house service for the laboratory analysis of Environmental DNA (eDNA). eDNA refers to the DNA released into the environment by an organism (e.g. shed skin). DNA has species-specific chemistry that allows for species-specific tests to be developed. Simply by taking samples (e.g. water) and analysing this sample, strictly following protocols and using specialist, highly sensitive qPCR equipment, the presence of speciesspecific DNA can be determined. This provides a potentially much more cost-effective technique to quickly determine the recent presence (or likely absence) of an organism at a location. Applications In 2014, the Freshwater Habitats Trust published a report into research on the utilisation of eDNA techniques for the detection of Great Crested Newt (a European Protected Species or ‘EPS’) in a water body. The research showed that the technique correctly identified the presence of the species with over 99% accuracy, with zero ‘false positive’ results.
This has led to the technique becoming a recognised survey method (by Natural England and Natural Resources Wales) for the detection of Great Crested Newt. The technique cannot currently provide information on population size; it being a presence/ absence test only. For Great Crested Newts, the technique is currently acceptable for use in EPS licence and planning applications for samples taken between 15th April and 30th June (the core breeding season), and analysis of samples taken can be tested within the laboratory up to one month after taking the sample. Samples can be taken and tested at any time of year, but this can only prove presence, not absence, as the species is less likely to use the water bodies outside the breeding season. This can still be used to provide information on the risks associated with progressing your project, for example if timescales are tight. ‘Scoping out’ ponds from full surveys can be usefully achieved via this technique, in a costeffective manner, for example on linear projects or where there are numerous ponds within 500m of your development site. For other species (e.g. white clawed crayfish) year-round sampling windows can be used. The technique has numerous applications, including early detection of disruptive, invasive species, or to help survey for cryptic species, endangered species or species that would otherwise require experts to identify. Similarly, the technique can be used in combination with ‘citizen science’ work, e.g. for nationwide monitoring programmes. The technique also has well-established applications for use in archaeological analysis.