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eProbe: Sampling of Environmental DNA within Tree Canopies with Drones.

Author information

Affiliations

  • 1. Environmental Robotics Laboratory, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland.
      Authors
    • Kirchgeorg S 1, 9
    • Geckeler C 1, 9
    • Mintchev S 1, 9
    (3 authors)
  • 2. Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore.
      Authors
    • Chang JJM 2
    (1 author)
  • 3. School of Marine and Environmental Affairs, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98105, United States.
      Authors
    • Ip YCA 3
    (1 author)
  • 4. Environmental DNA, ETH Zürich, Zürich 8092, Switzerland.
      Authors
    • Jucker M 4
    • van der Loo E 4
    • Deiner K 4, 6
    (3 authors)
  • 5. Ecosystems and Landscape Evolution, ETH Zürch, Zürich 8092, Switzerland.
      Authors
    • Lüthi M 5
    • Pellissier L 5, 9
    (2 authors)
    • Show all (10)

ORCIDs linked to this article

Show all (8)

Environmental Science & Technology, 05 Sep 2024, 58(37):16410-16420
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c05595 PMID: 39236253 

Abstract 

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a powerful tool for studying biodiversity in forests and tree canopies. However, collecting representative eDNA samples from these high and complex environments remains challenging. Traditional methods, such as surface swabbing or tree rolling, are labor-intensive and require significant effort to achieve adequate coverage. This study proposes a novel approach for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to collect eDNA within tree canopies by using a surface swabbing technique. The method involves lowering a probe from a hovering UAV into the canopy and collecting eDNA as it descends and ascends through branches and leaves. To achieve this, a custom-designed robotic system was developed featuring a winch and a probe for eDNA collection. The design of the probe was optimized, and a control logic for the winch was developed to reduce the risk of entanglement while ensuring sufficient interaction force to facilitate transfer of eDNA onto the probe. The effectiveness of this method was demonstrated during the XPRIZE Rainforest Semi-Finals as 10 eDNA samples were collected from the rainforest canopy, and a total of 152 molecular operational taxonomic units (MOTUs) were identified using eDNA metabarcoding. We further investigate how the number of probe interactions with vegetation, the penetration depth, and the sampling duration influence the DNA concentration and community composition of the samples.

Full text links 

Read article at publisher's site: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.4c05595

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    Funding 

    Funders who supported this work.

    Alana Foundation

      ETH Z?rich Foundation

        European Research Council (1)

        R?tli-Stiftung

          Swiss National Science Foundation (2)

          XPRIZE