Great to see this @meebangor.bsky.social @bangoruniversity.bsky.social trophic #eDNA output maturing after all of Kitty's hard work and initial sample acquisition by the Bangor cichlid team - Alix Tyers, George Turner, funded by @nerc-eof.bsky.social grant and @thefsbi.bsky.social studentship!

Echoing thanks to @royalsociety.org and @ukdnawg.bsky.social for hosting a great 2 days of broadening horizon talks, integrating more disciplines, countries and synergies into the #UKDNAWG25. Looking forwards to more @meebangor.bsky.social contributions to #eDNA research!

Ben Price @nhm.org gives update on last 5 years of UK Barcode of Life. Many gaps filled but better gap analysis needed to identify and fill those remaining. Next step is developed curated databases for UK and Europe! #UKDNAWG25

3/4

Henrik Cornelisson van de Ven of TNO describes formation of Dutch #eDNA working group and creation of National #eDNA Framework for the Netherlands. Many more meeting and fundings needed but lots of motivation! #UKDNAWG25

4/4

Project, sample, amplification (single species), sequencing and ASV/OTU data required which enable confidence assessment of the data. Templates for upload to @nbntrust.bsky.social have been produced with tool for adapting to @gbif.org #UKDNAWG25

Different labs can produce vastly different results which leads to ‘eDNA doesn’t work’ - ring and proficiency testing is key. Establishing minimum standards (e.g. sequencing depth) and metadata reporting is crucial. Stringency of standards will vary by taxonomic group #UKDNAWG25

FAIR #eDNA data and transparent workflows are essential. Harmonisation should come after standardisation. International collaboration and partnership will drive progress #UKDNAWG25

Penelope Watt @sheffielduni.bsky.social compared #eDNA to hand sorting to assess impact of land management on #earthworm diversity. #eDNA detected same species as hand sorting. More species in leys than arable land #UKDNAWG25

5/6

Claire Carvell @ukceh.bsky.social presents results of DNA barcoding through @pomscheme.bsky.social using BIOSCAN pipeline. High quality sequences that could largely be identified to species level obtained. Seasonal patterns in community composition found #UKDNAWG25

6/6

Similar functional traits across methods - ecological resilience or full range of traits not captured? #Ecoacoustics detects distinct traits compared to larger mammals with other methods. #Ecoacoustics and #eDNA needed for most comprehensive trophic network #UKDNAWG25

Higher #bird and #mammal richness in streams leaving protected areas, with higher occupancy of wild species inside and domestic species outside. Fish don’t show same trend although more non-native species found outside. More statistics needed over bioinformatics #UKDNAWG25

Composition, distribution + function being examined as well as links to other #biodiversity data. Soil monitoring approaches across UK need aligned but even basics are challenging. Urgent solutions needed as soils in trouble. What metrics + standards does this include? What legislation? #UKDNAWG25

Geology is biggest driver of AMR. Anthropogenic activities also contribute but not the only factor that should be considered #UKDNAWG25