Environmental DNA (eDNA) in Action – WWF Living Planet Technology Hub

eDNA IN ACTION

eDNA technology sheds light on river health

In watersheds across the country, Canada lacks basic data on the state of our rivers, with one of the biggest gaps being data on benthic invertebrates, the tiny bugs that live at the bottom of river beds.

These flies, beetles, aquatic worms, snails and other creatures can tell us a lot about the health of a freshwater system. One of the main challenges is identifying these tiny bugs as most of them are no bigger than the head of a pin. In the past, samples were sent to taxonomists to identify—a very long and tedious process. Without this information, we are unable to take the proper steps needed towards ensuring the health of Canada’s freshwater systems.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology changes all that. The “genetic metabarcoding” system developed by experts at the University of Guelph’s Centre for Biodiversity Genomics can identify species using DNA in water, soil, sediment and actual bug DNA samples. Researchers blend up the sample, extract the DNA, and put it into a machine that sequences the genetic code comparing it to an extensive DNA library of bugs. The results are faster, cheaper than traditional taxonomy and impressively accurate.

WWF-Canada is combining powerful conservation genomics with an equally powerful force: citizen scientists. Their efforts can efficiently expand our databases for better freshwater health.

In 2019, Sequencing the Rivers for Environmental Assessment and Monitoring (STREAM) was launched, a partnership between WWF-Canada, Living Lakes Canada, the University of Guelph, Genome Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada.

STREAM’s field courses teach volunteers the proper protocols for collecting samples, which are then sent to the University of Guelph for eDNA analysis. These courses provide the tools, knowledge and training to community groups so that they can monitor their waters in a scientifically rigorous manner.

Revolutionizing Canada’s water data

STREAM will revolutionize the future of freshwater monitoring in Canada, filling in key gaps in WWF-Canada’s Watershed Reports. Determining the health and state of waterways can help us advocate for their protection and future mitigation measures.