Is it better to take water samples just after it has rained in the UK to get more species?
In some respects yes, but this will depend on the target groups being studied. Studies we have conducted have indicated that more species are typically detected in the wet season in the tropics. This is likely as a result of more DNA being washed from riparian areas into rivers in the wet season. However increased water volumes following heavy rainfall may also slightly reduce sensitivity by diluting the DNA signal. These finescale spatial dynamics are still being investigated across a number of different projects, although eDNA gives good data in all seasons!
