The transformative potential of eDNA-based biodiversity impact assessment

Abstract

Biodiversity impact assessments aim to enable market actors, regulators, and political agents to effectively steer human activities in a more sustainable direction. However, current biodiversity impact assessments often rely on biased, incomplete, or indirect data. We review the potential of addressing these shortcomings using emerging methods based on environmental DNA (eDNA). The eDNA technologies are developing rapidly, and DNA metabarcoding is now sufficiently mature to allow cost-effective, standardized recording of detailed local biodiversity data. The eDNA data allow computation of a wide range of the essential biodiversity variables, and open data reporting mechanisms are already in place. If companies were required to collect and openly report eDNA data documenting their impact, they could optimize biodiversity outcomes in relation to productivity and other factors in a fast development cycle. Simultaneously, publicly funded research could focus on analyzing the data and successively refining actionable metrics based on fundamental ecological principles.