Thursday, March 23, 2023
Green Reporter
  • Home
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Filmmaking
  • Food
  • Investment
  • Management
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Transportation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Filmmaking
  • Food
  • Investment
  • Management
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Transportation
No Result
View All Result
Green Reporter
No Result
View All Result
Home Biodiversity

New tech could prevent biodiversity crisis using DNA analysis

GrR by GrR
June 18, 2021
in Biodiversity
0
New tech could prevent biodiversity crisis using DNA analysis
55
SHARES
240
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter


Groundbreaking new DNA technology could be used to tackle the world’s growing biodiversity crisis.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and NatureMetrics have teamed up to create a global atlas of life in rivers and wetlands across the globe.

It is hoped the new eBioAtlas will fill gaps in current knowledge, stimulate investment in conservation and create a databank to reverse the biodiversity crisis.

Targeting areas that are affected by climate change and development, the scheme will work with local partners to collect water samples. The samples will then be tested for ‘environmental DNA’ – traces of genetic material in the water – to identify distribution and range of species in the ecosystem.

“NatureMetrics is pioneering one of the first technologies that can give us the ability to quickly and easily quantify and analyze the diversity of species that exist in the world so we can better understand them and prevent their extinction,” says Rachel Kropa, Managing Director of the Footprint Coalition, one of IUCN and NatureMetric’s partners.

“How can we protect the planet without first knowing what we need to protect? We have done a poor job of tracking biodiversity and the impact humans have had on it”

Why do we need to understand rivers and wetlands?

Freshwater habitats are disproportionately important to biodiversity. Although they cover only one per cent of the earth’s surface they are home to one-tenth of the world’s animals. That figure includes just under a third of all vertebrates and half of fish.

Fresh water is also a crucial source of protein for 200 million people and provides livelihoods for 60 million. But this essential source of sustenance is under threat, says Will Darwall, Head of IUCN’s Freshwater Biodiversity Unit.

“A third of the world’s freshwater fish are threatened. If nothing changes in the way we manage freshwater environments, these species are headed for extinction.”

It is anticipated that in the first three years 30,000 water samples will be collected from areas including the Amazon, Mekong Delta and Niger Delta.

“We face a biodiversity crisis and we’ve been running blind. We know we have to act to protect threatened species and their habitats, but the lack of data makes it hard to set tangible targets and monitor progress” says Dr Kat Bruce, founder and Chief Technology Officer at Nature Metrics.

“We end up spinning in circles and going nowhere, while the loss of nature continues to accelerate.”

How does NatureMetrics new tech work?

The eBioAtlas programme is being managed by IUCN who will oversee sampling in 50 countries alongside other established NGOs.

1,000 local people will be trained to carry out the sampling, a simple process where volunteers pump water through a large filter to extract trace DNA. The samples will then be sent to a NatureMetrics lab for analysis.

The method is predicted to reduce cost, save time and increase local engagement.

The process has already successfully been used by NatureMetrics for WWF to identify 675 species in the Peruvian Amazon.

IUCN will use the eBioAtlas to identify key biodiversity areas and species under threat. Leftover DNA will be archived to create the world’s largest biobank including information on the time and location of samples.

It is hoped that over time the databank will become self-financing with businesses paying for access to help monitor areas which are important to supply chains.



Source link

Previous Post

North Bend Film Festival Reveals 2021 Lineup – /Film

Next Post

European PVC industry opens next chapter in sustainability journey – POLITICO

GrR

GrR

Green Reporter is a global source for news of sustainability, green industry, green technology, clear energy, sustainable food production, and green investments. Our aim is to deliver the best news and information to you.

Next Post
European PVC industry opens next chapter in sustainability journey – POLITICO

European PVC industry opens next chapter in sustainability journey – POLITICO

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Climate change in our backyard: Manitoba begins to grapple with the consequences – Winnipeg

Climate change in our backyard: Manitoba begins to grapple with the consequences – Winnipeg

August 10, 2021
Repsol starts marketing debut sustainability-linked bond sale

Repsol starts marketing debut sustainability-linked bond sale

June 29, 2021
Sustainability Ambitions Soaring at KCI

Sustainability Ambitions Soaring at KCI

December 6, 2021
Chris Pratt explains where the White Spikes originated

Chris Pratt explains where the White Spikes originated

July 3, 2021
Stop burning our rights! What governments and corporations must do to protect humanity from the climate crisis – World

Stop burning our rights! What governments and corporations must do to protect humanity from the climate crisis – World

Biden said to mull dropping corporate tax hike to fund jobs plan

Biden said to mull dropping corporate tax hike to fund jobs plan

Global investors pressure Asian utilities to cut emissions

Global investors pressure Asian utilities to cut emissions

Global inequity could derail path to net zero

Global inequity could derail path to net zero

What’s With A24’s Religious Obsession?

What’s With A24’s Religious Obsession?

August 12, 2022
Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $16 Million Affordable Housing Development in Monroe County

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $16 Million Affordable Housing Development in Monroe County

August 12, 2022
EU ban on Russian coal enters into force

EU ban on Russian coal enters into force

August 12, 2022
Immune system insights and Thai climate calculator: News from the College | Imperial News

Immune system insights and Thai climate calculator: News from the College | Imperial News

August 12, 2022

Recent News

What’s With A24’s Religious Obsession?

What’s With A24’s Religious Obsession?

August 12, 2022
Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $16 Million Affordable Housing Development in Monroe County

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $16 Million Affordable Housing Development in Monroe County

August 12, 2022
EU ban on Russian coal enters into force

EU ban on Russian coal enters into force

August 12, 2022
Immune system insights and Thai climate calculator: News from the College | Imperial News

Immune system insights and Thai climate calculator: News from the College | Imperial News

August 12, 2022

Recent News

What’s With A24’s Religious Obsession?

What’s With A24’s Religious Obsession?

August 12, 2022
Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $16 Million Affordable Housing Development in Monroe County

Governor Hochul Announces Completion of $16 Million Affordable Housing Development in Monroe County

August 12, 2022
EU ban on Russian coal enters into force

EU ban on Russian coal enters into force

August 12, 2022

Browse by Category

  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Filmmaking
  • Food
  • Investment
  • Management
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Transportation

Follow Us

  • Privacy & Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise

© 2021 Copyright Green Reporter

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Biodiversity
  • Climate Change
  • Energy
  • Filmmaking
  • Food
  • Investment
  • Management
  • Sustainability
  • Technology
  • Transportation

© 2021 Copyright Green Reporter