eDNA in Luambe National Park and Lukusuzi National Park
Time Frame: 01.06.2023 – 31.10.2023
Partners: RIFCON GmbH, Department of Zoology and Aquatic Sciences, Copperbelt University, Faunomics
Geographical Range: Luambe National Park. Lukusuzi National Park
Principal Investigators: Dr. Michael Riffel, Dr Moses Chibesa
Research Objectives:
- To evaluate different sampling matrices (water, soil, faeces) regarding their eDNA content, required sampling effort and storage options to create a qualitative list of mammal species,
- To test the feasibility of eDNA monitoring to assess vertebrate communities under field conditions in Luambe and Lukusuzi National Park and the surrounding Game Management Areas (GMA),
- To validate eDNA data with camera trap data from the same sample sites in Luambe, Lukusuzi and the adjacent GMAs,
- To compare vertebrate communities using eDNA methodology between protected areas (Luambe and Lukusuzi National Parks) and their surrounding GMAS,
- To compare sampling evaluation costs of both methods regarding meaningfulness.
Biodiversity monitoring stands as a crucial imperative for comprehending intricate ecological dynamics within wildlife areas, enabling the identification of tangible conservation interventions. The conventional assessment of vertebrate diversity involves the deployment of camera traps and transect counts, followed by predominantly time-intensive evaluations.
In pursuit of swift and cost-effective monitoring, this project advocated the adoption of highly sensitive environmental DNA (eDNA) methods, which have recently shown promise. The objective was to develop a non-invasive eDNA-based tool tailored for biodiversity monitoring and conservation in tropical environments. Additionally, the project seeks to validate the information derived from eDNA methods by cross-referencing it with data obtained through camera trap surveys.
We still await the results of the data evaluation process before we can publish the findings.
