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eDNA: A revolutionary approach to biodiversity assessment
Bhutan is known as a biodiversity hotspot. But it lacks an established biodiversity database. Environmental DNA also known as eDNA offers that opportunity to create a repository of Bhutan’s biodiversity data, a baseline which can be used by conservationists and scientists for monitoring, research and study. On 25 April 2025 an eDNA lab was inaugurated at the College of Natural Resources (CNR). With the lab and trained capacity, Bhutan has set foot in carrying out DNA sample analysis within the country. DNA collected from air, water, soil can be analyzed to identify the presence of different species, assess biodiversity, and monitor ecological changes.
Environmental DNA also known as eDNA offers that opportunity to create a repository of Bhutan’s biodiversity data, a baseline which can be used by conservationists and scientists for monitoring, research and study.
On 25 April 2025 an eDNA lab was inaugurated at the College of Natural Resources (CNR). With the lab and trained capacity, Bhutan has set foot in carrying out DNA sample analysis within the country. DNA collected from air, water, soil can be analyzed to identify the presence of different species, assess biodiversity, and monitor ecological changes.
The eDNA lab is established within the College of Natural Resources Kinley Wangmo / WWF-Bhutan
Preceding the establishment of the lab, a pilot eDNA project was carried out in the Mangde Chhu river basin, which provided vital data that can help the Royal Government of Bhutan with overall conservation efforts and plans. Despite reference database limitations, eDNA successfully detected a total of 201 unique vertebrate taxa with 134 identified to the species level, highlighting the technique's potential to reveal vast biodiversity, even in less well-studied regions. The pilot was carried out by the Department of Forests and Park Services with support from WWF-Bhutan, Bhutan For Life, and ETH Zurich, a public University in Switzerland.
The eDNA lab, including capacity training, was supported by ETH Zurich. Professor of Ecosystems and Landscape at ETH Zurich, Loïc Pellissier, who inaugurated the lab said despite the exceptional biodiversity in the country, Bhutan still faced challenges in inventorizing a complete list of species.
“When we go to the field and try to make an inventory it is time consuming,” he said, adding that eDNA provided capacity to go the field, to take water sample, soil sample and make a quick assessment of the number of species in the given site. “This is a revolution for the country, because it means we can assess how biodiversity is doing and how it is evolving over time.”
Collecting eDNA samples from Manas river Kinley Wangmo / WWF-Bhutan
The lab, according to the President of CNR, Sonam Wangchuk, is a groundbreaking milestone for the college. He said it not only provided opportunities for the college in areas of applied science, but also opportunities for the university to collaborate with conservation agencies.
The lab is expected to help generate results at a faster rate and cut cost associated with eDNA assessment. Previously, during the pilot, the eDNA samples were sent abroad for analysis.
The lab, according to Professor Loïc Pellissier, will be instrumental in building capacity and creating a new generation of scientists. Currently at CNR, two masters degree students are studying eDNA under the supervision of a doctorate student.
With the establishment of the eDNA lab the College of Natural Resources, the Department of Forests and Park Services, WWF-Bhutan, Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, CNR and ETH Zurich are exploring possibilities of collaboration in sampling all major river systems in the country to build a biodiversity baseline for the country.
eDNA samples at College of Natural Resources. Kinley Wangmo / WWF-Bhutan