River Partners, a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring California’s rivers, has incorporated eDNA analysis into its wildlife monitoring efforts in the state’s San Joaquin Valley. This technique complements their existing methods, like acoustic recordings, bird point counts, and motion-activated cameras, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the biodiversity living at their restoration sites.
Funded by the California Wildlife Conservation Board (WCB), River Partners collected 600 soil samples during the winter from 22 different locations throughout its restoration sites in the San Joaquin Valley—and additional 600 samples will be collected from the same locations this summer. The eDNA analysis offers a non-invasive and efficient way to identify the presence of various species, including those that are rare, endangered, or elusive, as well as potentially detecting invasive plant species before they become widespread—all to help inform future restoration efforts in the San Joaquin Valley.
Rebecca Fris, the WCB Associate Executive Director, emphasized that this eDNA research aligns perfectly with her agency’s mission to protect biodiversity and restore habitats. Emma Havstad, River Partners Associate Director of Restoration Science, highlighted that eDNA allows for a deeper exploration of the complex ecosystems they are working to rebuild, providing valuable data to inform their future restoration strategies.
Diego Garcia, a River Partners Associate Restoration Scientist, noted the interesting variations in soil composition observed during the sampling process at different sites like Dos Rios State Park, San Luis National Wildlife Refuge, and Bear Creek Ranch. The summer resampling will allow for seasonal comparisons of species presence.
Havstad expressed excitement about the sheer volume of data that eDNA analysis can provide, calling it “unprecedented” for River Partners. This wealth of information can directly inform future restoration efforts, guiding decisions on which wildlife to expect and the types of vegetation to plant for optimal native species thriving.
The integration of eDNA research is particularly timely as River Partners expands its restoration work in the San Joaquin Valley. This technology translates research into actionable insights, and will provide data-driven improvements for future projects. Havstad emphasized the importance of understanding the often-overlooked soil biome and the potential impacts of past agricultural practices. eDNA analysis can help identify missing key components in the restoration process, allowing for corrective actions to create more diverse and successful ecosystems.
Additionally, the increasing accessibility of DNA-extraction technology and publicly available databases like eDNA Explorer and CALeDNA are democratizing ecological research, allowing broader community participation. Havstad envisions the possibility of engaging community members in data collection for restoration efforts both locally and globally.
By incorporating eDNA into their monitoring toolkit, River Partners can make more strategic decisions about where and when to focus their scientific efforts, gaining a more complete and cost-effective picture of the biodiversity within the San Joaquin Valley. The anticipated influx of information promises to provide valuable insights into their restoration methods and the wildlife they aim to support. For Havstad, success in this research lies in identifying concrete ways to improve future restoration projects, such as soil modifications or better understanding the needs of focal species like the least Bell’s vireo, and the exciting possibility of discovering the presence of rare species.
The partnerships with WCB, CALeDNA, eDNA Explorer, and California State Parks and Recreation are crucial in making these advancements possible, contributing to a greater understanding and protection of California’s vital biodiversity.