Deep QC for clarity and confidence
For over a decade, EnviroDNA has been validating species data through a quality control protocol known as ecological validation. We integrate ecological and spatial evidence over every eDNA result to provide an additional layer of confidence in our data.
Why Ecological Validation Matters
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The concept of eDNA monitoring can appear simple: obtain your sample, sequence the DNA, and match genetic sequences to specific species.
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Yet the science is more complex. Different species share genetic sequences, genetic variation exists within species, and databases are incomplete. A closest-match approach alone can assign the wrong species entirely.
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To avoid potential errors by reporting on species using genetic sequence matches alone, EnviroDNA layers in a range of ecological validations to sense-check your data and provide deeper accuracy.
WHAT SETS OUR DATA APART
Ecological Validation is a deep QC process that lowers risks to report precisely which species are present.
To ensure you get the most accurate results, we don’t just check our results against genetic databases. We take it to a much deeper level.
HOW IT WORKS
Our Approach to Ensuring Reliable Results
1. Cross-reference eDNA sequence
To provide deeper, more accurate insights, our team of experts cross-reference each eDNA sequence with spatial and ecological data—essentially, providing a QC step to ensure that the results we provide to our clients make sound ecological sense.
2. Perform historical data analyses
EnviroDNA’s disparate spatial data sources include publicly reported observations, species ecology, congener analysis (aka closely related species), and EnviroDNA’s proprietary historical data that tracks 100,000+ genetic sequences across Australia.
3. Analyse closely related species
By comparing eDNA detections against these other lines of evidence, we distinguish true signals from background noise - and, in many cases, identify specific species from closely related species that co-exist in the same geographical region.
4. Report scientifically robust data
The result is increased certainty and lower risk in your data so you can make decisions on nature with confidence. Put simply, EnviroDNA's ecological validation process brings clarity where less scientifically rigourous analysis stalls.
THE EVIDENCE
Five lines of evidence, checked against every result
Select a data source to see how it strengthens confidence in an eDNA detection — the same fly-out logic our science team uses internally.
100,000+ previous EnviroDNA genetic detections
EnviroDNA was the first to bring eDNA monitoring to Australia, and over a decade we have built a proprietary dataset of more than 100,000 georeferenced genetic detections. This gives us a continuously growing picture of species (and ASV) distributions across the country. When we assess your results, we cross-reference them against this dataset - adding a layer of ecological context that is unmatched.
Geographic distinctiveness analysis
Confident species identification requires understanding the full genetic landscape of a study area — not just the target species in isolation. We assess which closely related species are likely to be present locally, and critically, how well the gene regions used in our analysis can distinguish between them, since not all gene regions separate similar species equally well. We also verify that reference sequences exist for all species likely to occur in the area, not just your target, so we can rule out false matches with confidence. This analysis forms part of our pre-project advice: using our EnviroScore framework, we select the most appropriate genetic assays upfront to give your target species the best chance of reliable, defensible detection.
Publicly reported observations
We cross-reference each detection against publicly reported observations from three authoritative sources: the Atlas of Living Australia, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, and threatened species distribution maps. These databases represent decades of verified sightings contributed by researchers, citizen scientists, and government agencies. Knowing where a species has previously been recorded helps us assess whether a new detection is consistent with its known distribution — and flags anything unexpected for closer review.
Congener analysis (aka. closely related species)
Every species has closely related relatives that share similar DNA called congeners. We analyse how genetically distinct the target species is from these relatives to confirm that a detection is specific — not a false match caused by DNA similarity with a near-relative. The greater the genetic difference between related species, the higher our confidence in the result.
Species ecology
Every species has well-documented habitat preferences, geographic ranges, and seasonal behaviours. We cross-reference each detection against this ecological knowledge to assess whether a result makes biological sense in context. A detection that aligns with where and when a species would realistically be present adds an important layer of confidence to our findings.
“There is always an amount of uncertainty in assigning taxonomic identities. What we’ve done is turn that into metrics that can both improve results and assign a level of confidence to each result.”
Dr Reid Tingley, EnviroDNA, Data Science Lead