Airborne environmental DNA captures terrestrial vertebrate diversity in nature

The current biodiversity and climate crises highlight the need for efficient tools to monitor terrestrial ecosystems. Here, we provide evidence for the use of airborne eDNA analyses as a novel method for detecting terrestrial vertebrate communities in nature. Metabarcoding of 143 airborne eDNA samples collected during 3 days in a mixed forest in Denmark yielded 64 bird, mammal, fish and amphibian taxa, of which the detected 57 'wild' taxa represent over a quarter of the around 210 terrestrial vertebrates that occur in the overall area. We provide evidence for the spatial movement and temporal patterns of airborne eDNA and for the influence of weather conditions on vertebrate detections. This study demonstrates airborne eDNA for high-resolution biomonitoring of vertebrates in terrestrial systems and elucidates its potential to guide global nature management and conservation efforts in the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

Automated summary

This study provides evidence for the use of airborne eDNA analysis as an efficient tool for monitoring terrestrial vertebrate communities. By conducting metabarcoding of 143 airborne eDNA samples collected in a mixed forest in Denmark, researchers detected a total of 64 bird, mammal, fish, and amphibian taxa. The study highlights the potential of airborne eDNA for high-resolution biomonitoring and its importance in global nature management and conservation efforts.