Rwanda is pioneering a new approach known as environmental DNA (eDNA) technology to detect and protect endangered species like the mountain gorilla by analyzing genetic material left in soil and water. This innovative method is being deployed in Volcanoes National Park, a mist-covered forest home to some of the world's most iconic wildlife.
What Is eDNA and How Does It Work?
Environmental DNA refers to genetic material shed by organisms into their environment, such as fur, feces, or skin cells. By collecting samples from soil, water, or sediment, scientists can identify species present in an area without direct observation. This reduces human disturbance during wildlife surveys and is particularly useful in rugged terrains like the Virunga mountains.
Why Rwanda Is Adopting eDNA
Traditional monitoring methods, such as camera traps and ranger patrols, face challenges in Volcanoes National Park due to steep ridges, dense vegetation, and security concerns near the borders of Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. eDNA offers a cost-effective alternative that can cover large ecosystems with minimal human impact.
Patrick Nsabimana, country manager for Rwanda at the African Wildlife Foundation, which partnered with the Rwandan government on this initiative, stated: "We selected eDNA as a new technology to bring solutions and to complement existing methods used in ecological monitoring."
Benefits of eDNA for Biodiversity
eDNA can detect multiple species—mammals, birds, amphibians, and more—from a single sample. Deogratias Tuyisingize, a biodiversity researcher with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, noted: "Because of steep ravines and mountainsides, we are sure we were missing some species." Combining eDNA with traditional methods ensures comprehensive monitoring.
Improved species detection also aids anti-poaching efforts. Knowing where endangered species are located helps rangers patrol more effectively. Additionally, as Rwanda expands national parks by rehabilitating agricultural land, eDNA can track how species recolonize these areas, measuring conservation success and providing early warnings of invasive species.
Challenges and Limitations
Despite its promise, eDNA has limitations. It cannot reliably estimate population sizes, and DNA can persist long after an animal has left an area. Processing samples locally is difficult; initial samples had to be sent to Europe for analysis. Cold storage and contamination prevention are also challenges, according to Joshua Newton, who researched eDNA at Curtin University.
Data gaps pose another hurdle. Africa has limited genetic reference libraries compared to Europe and America, making it harder to match DNA to known species. James Munyawera, a lab specialist with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, said researchers are now building region-specific databases to address this.
Community Involvement
The project in Volcanoes National Park has begun training local community members and rangers to collect eDNA samples, fostering local stewardship and expanding monitoring capacity.
