Wheatbelt NRM
Biodiversity Assessment
Natural resource management
Airborne eDNA is an emerging technique for revealing biodiversity across broad terrestrial environments. In comparison with traditional survey techniques, airborne sampling is a cost-effective approach that is safe and requires minimal resources in the field. Wheatbelt NRM engaged EnviroDNA to deliver an innovative biodiversity survey using airborne eDNA monitoring across multiple sites in south-western Western Australia.
Wheatbelt NRM trained local citizen scientists to assist with the deployment of passive air samplers, designed by EnviroDNA through in-house research and development that is currently ongoing. During April-May 2025, the samplers were deployed across 5 sites in south-western WA. Samplers were affixed to trees above ground (average 2.53m) and were left in-situ for roughly a month. Following their deployment, the cloth filters housed in the sampling devices were removed, placed into zip-lock sample bags and returned to EnviroDNA. The objective of this project was to characterise local terrestrial biodiversity by analysing samples using a DNA metabarcoding approach targeting vertebrate taxa.
Results
Across the survey, 49 samples were collected across the survey. Overall, 68 distinct taxa were successfully detected from the samples using a metabarcoding assay. The species list included 17 mammals and 35 bird taxa, with the most common animal detected being the Western grey kangaroo Macropus fuliginosus. Taxon richness from each survey site ranged from 22 to 34.
Impact
- Expanded biodiversity coverage at scale: Airborne eDNA enables large areas to be monitored efficiently, capturing signals from multiple taxa and environments that are often missed by traditional surveys.
- Community-powered science: Citizen participation increases data collection frequency and geographic reach while building public understanding and engagement with biodiversity science.
- Actionable insights for conservation: The resulting datasets support early detection of species change, invasive species presence, and long-term trends to inform management and policy decisions.
