New DNA sampling procedure to be discussed and demonstrated at international environmental conference in Montreal
Staff from the Sault-based Invasive Species Centre are discussing and demonstrating a new way of gathering valuable data in the fight against aquatic invasive species at the COP15 Summit.
“The second biggest cause of biodiversity loss globally is endangered species so the Invasive Species Centre is here to support that message and highlight the value of the opportunities to address invasive species so we can have positive impacts on biodiversity in Ontario and across Canada too,” said Colin Cassin, the Invasive Species Centre’s policy manager, speaking to SooToday.
Economically, invasive species wreak havoc on Ontario through increased flooding that leads to reduced resource production, also harming the tourism and recreation industry and reducing property values to cottage properties through the presence of zebra mussels and the infestation of trees by the emerald ash borer.
“Our presentation will involve talking about new technologies using eDNA - or environment DNA - sampling for aquatic invasive species. The technology has evolved to the point now where we can just take a filter, squeeze a tube of water through that filter, capture all the free floating eDNA that would be shed by an organism’s skin or in their feces. If we sample that water we should be able to pull out the signatures of that invasive fish.
“It also gives people a chance to have an active role in addressing biodiversity loss. It gives people a positive hands-on approach to contribute to solutions,” Cassin said.
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