December 30, 2024 — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) plans to use environmental DNA (eDNA) to detect invasive species that can harm native salmon populations in the Columbia River Basin, according to a solicitation posted by the agency on 16 December.
eDNA is genetic material, such as tissue cells, mucus, or urine, that is shed by an organism in its environment. After collecting water samples, scientists can conduct lab tests to detect eDNA and determine whether a species is present in a given habitat.