Research Idea Details

Use of eDNA for species presence/absence surveys on transportation projects

  • Focus Area: Wildlife & Ecosystems
  • Status: Archived
  • Subcommittee: Natural Resources
  • Cost: $100k-$249k
  • Timeframe: 1-2 years

Research Idea Scope

Assess the use of eDNA for detecting the presence/absence of protected species on transportation projects. If the application shows potential for accurate results that would be acceptable to natural resource agencies based field research, additional tasks could include developing a survey methodology for use by State DOTs and acceptable to resource agencies.

Urgency and Payoff

Current field survey methods of species detection can be detrimental to sensitive species, where as eDNA represents a passive species detection method. In addition, current methods are dependent on direct species observation, where as eDNA detects presence of residual species DNA in the environment. eDNA also has cost savings potential compared to traditional survey methods that are more labor intensive.

Suggested By:
Jason Morrell
[email protected]
Submitted:
06/24/2022