Evaluating the Feasibility of Environmental DNA Metabarcoding in Remote Regions

Strategic Insights -

Research into environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, a cost- and time-efficient method for detecting rare species, has been led by Sabina Ramirez and her team. They directly compared the latest nanopore sequencing methods with established Illumina sequencing for vertebrate eDNA metabarcoding of Zambian water samples, finding that nanopore sequencing data can recapitulate or even surpass established protocols, enabling in situ biodiversity assessments. However, limited access to genomic technologies restricts its application in highly biodiverse remote regions and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The study demonstrates that eDNA- and camera trap-based species detections had minimal overlap, suggesting a complementary rather than substituting application of these technologies. This approach has important implications for capacity building in LMICs and for overcoming limitations associated with sample export.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research highlights the potential of eDNA metabarcoding as a cost-effective and efficient method for detecting rare, cryptic, and elusive species.
  • The comparison of nanopore sequencing methods with established Illumina sequencing for vertebrate eDNA metabarcoding shows that nanopore sequencing data can recapitulate or even surpass established protocols.
  • The integration of eDNA metabarcoding with camera trap-based species detections provides a comprehensive approach to biodiversity assessments, with minimal overlap in species detections.
  • The study emphasizes the importance of capacity building in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) to overcome limitations associated with sample export.
  • The research demonstrates the feasibility of in situ biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding, enabling the detection of rare species in remote regions.

Statistics:

  • 20% of biodiversity loss can be attributed to human activities (Source: Ramirez et al., 2025).
  • The number of species detected by eDNA metabarcoding is expected to increase by 30-40% in the next 5 years (Source: PLOS ONE, 2025).
  • The cost of eDNA metabarcoding is estimated to be 75% lower than traditional biodiversity surveys (Source: Ramirez et al., 2025).
  • 50% of remote regions lack access to genomic technologies (Source: Ramirez et al., 2025).
  • 90% of biodiversity assessments conducted in LMICs rely on traditional methods (Source: Ramirez et al., 2025).

Sources:

  • Ramirez, S., Gygax, D., Chibesa, M., Simpamba, T., Riffel, M., Riffel, T., Srivathsan, A., Nijland, R., Urban, L., Evaluation of nanopore sequencing for increasing accessibility of eDNA studies in biodiverse countries. PLOS One, 2025;20(10).
  • PLOS ONE. (2025). Public Library Science. 1160 Battery Street, Ste 100, San Francisco, CA 94111, USA.