Environmental DNA (eDNA) methods are increasingly used to detect species from environmental samples such as water, soil, sediment or air. They offer promising opportunities for biodiversity assessment and monitoring, but routine use depends on reliable methods, comparable results and stronger coordination.
On 5 June 2026, Biodiversa+ hosted a webinar on eDNA methods in environmental monitoring, with presentations by Tiina Laamanen and Kristian Meissner from the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE). The webinar explores where eDNA and other molecular monitoring methods stand on the road to routine implementation, and what is still needed to support their wider uptake in environmental monitoring systems.
Watch the replay to learn about:
- the potential of eDNA methods for biodiversity monitoring;
- current barriers, including funding, expertise, data issues and method standards;
- why national and international coordination is needed;
- ongoing ISO and CEN standardisation efforts;
- how molecular monitoring methods could support more reliable and comparable environmental assessments.
The session shows that eDNA is moving beyond the research frontier. To become part of routine biodiversity monitoring, however, molecular approaches will need shared standards, quality control, interoperable data systems and international coordination. These elements are essential if eDNA results are to be trusted, compared and used in environmental policy and monitoring.
