The eDNA program

Our work

The Rocky Mountain Research Station’s eDNA Program specializes in developing tools to detect rare species – whether they are endangered, species of conservation concern, or invasive species – from a single copy of DNA. In collaboration with federal, tribal, and state partners, the eDNA Program has analyzed over 46,000 samples to aid and advance the management of over 160 different species across the 9 regions of the USDA Forest Service. Using eDNA is one of the most cost-effective ways to monitor aquatic species across the 57,000 miles of streams on USFS lands across the 154 National Forests.

What is environmental DNA (eDNA)?

Photo Credit

Tommy Franklin

Organisms continually shed cells containing their DNA into their surroundings. That DNA persists in the environment, where it can be collected in air, soil, snow, and water samples and analyzed for species of interest. For example, the DNA in a fish’s sloughed skin cells can be found in water, DNA in plant pollen can be found in the air, and DNA from animal footprints can be found in the snow.

What can we learn from eDNA?

eDNA sampling offers a reliable, cost-effective, and sensitive means of determining species presence. Various lab methods can be utilized to investigate conservation questions based on single species occupancy or community diversity. Results from eDNA analyses are routinely incorporated into species distribution models, listing packages for the Endangered Species Act, and open-access databases available to practitioners such as the Aquatic eDNAtlas. 

More information

If you are interested in learning more about the eDNA Program, please visit the Aquatic eDNAtlas and take a look at the “eDNA” section on the “Resources” tab.

The non-invasive genetic sampling program

What is non-invasive genetic sampling?

Photo Credit

Kathy Zeller and Mark Ditmer

Non-invasive genetic sampling uses forensic-style DNA samples, such as hair, scat, and feathers, to monitor rare and sensitive species without ever seeing an animal. This approach increases the probability of detecting rare species and minimizes the need to capture and tag animals. The NGC has over 20 years of experience processing non-invasive genetic samples.

Photo Credit

Michael Schwartz

Population and landscape genetics

Non-invasive genetic samples are useful for population genetics, the study of the genetic composition and connectivity of populations. These samples can be used to monitor populations via genetic mark-recapture studies, to track individual movements, and to analyze hybridization. Samples can be cross-checked with our comprehensive genetic databases to elucidate species distributions and population dynamics.

Photo Credit

Alex Weinmann

Two salmon swim upstream

Forensic samples

The NGC’s laboratory facility is a member of the Society for Wildlife Forensic Sciences and has the capability to process forensic samples. We analyze samples related to law enforcement cases for state and federal agencies when our databases can provide valuable information. If you are a land manager seeking assistance with a wildlife-related forensic or law enforcement case, please contact lab supervisor Kristy Pilgrim.

Historical and ancient samples

Photo Credit

Courtesy photo by Yellowstone National Park

The NGC has a dedicated ancient DNA laboratory and extensive expertise working with historical and ancient DNA, primarily from museum specimens. These samples are incredibly valuable for providing genetic context and a historical picture for comparison to modern samples.

Cryptic species

The NGC can help with species identification and phylogenetic context for species that are difficult to identify without morphological expertise, such as many invertebrates. We have several ongoing projects identifying stoneflies, butterflies, springsnails, and other gastropods.

Genetic databases

Photo Credit

Kathy Zeller and Mark Ditmer

The NGC has extensive genetic databases on a variety of carnivores and other species that enable us to be able to track individuals through time and space, assess landscape connectivity of populations, and discover where dispersing animals may be from. We currently have databases available for species including fisher, wolverine, lynx, sage-grouse, marten, cougar, bobcat, woodpecker, wolf, moose, deer, bighorn sheep, and salmonids.

Services we provide

We can support our partners with a variety of services including species identification, individual identification, sex identification, recapture analysis, population assignment, population genetic analysis, landscape genetic analysis, forensic and law enforcement sample analysis, and ancient or historical DNA analysis.

The genomics program

What is genomics?

Genomic approaches generate thousands to millions of genetic data points for each individual or community sampled. These high-resolution datasets improve the power to precisely characterize and predict genetic consequences of complex population dynamics. For example, genomic methods can inform risk of inbreeding depression, detect declines in connectivity or population size over multiple timeframes, and delineate adaptive variation.

Photo Credit

Jody Tucker

What can we learn from genomics?

Rapid technology advancement has made genomics a cost-effective and powerful tool for describing communities, distinguishing distinct population segments, characterizing genetic health, and understanding the interplay between genetics and ecology. The NGC uses genomics to understand how populations are responding to a rapidly changing world, informing management of vulnerable species from stoneflies to wolves.

Services we provide

There are many tools in the genomics toolbox and our team of scientists wants to help you find the one that best fits your question. We have expertise in population genomics, phylogenetics,  diet reconstruction from fecal samples, and community assessment from environmental samples. Services we provide include generating and analyzing datasets from targeted sequencing, reduced representation sequencing, whole-genome sequencing, and metabarcoding.