MozamSeq

The first results from phase 1 of MozamSeq showcases our work with stakeholders in Mozambique using a 21st century biodiversity monitoring tool.

MozamSeq: Phase 1 achievements

The goal of Phase 1 was to assess the feasibility of establishing eDNA capacity in Mozambique. This included assessment of interest among key stakeholders, availability of appropriate skills and facilities in-country, and logistical / regulatory constraints. Although we were unable to visit Mozambique during Phase 1 of this project due to Covid19 restrictions, we were nevertheless able to make good progress with laying the groundwork for the MozamSeq project.

  • Approximately 50 eDNA samples were collected from a range of different habitats by project partners including Ocean Revolution, WCS, IIP and Erica Tovela at the Natural History Museum. Training was carried out by video call and successfully passed on to members of local communities in Inhambane. It took a while to figure out international logistics for i/mport/export of the samples but they eventually made it back to the lab in the UK where they are now being analysed.

  • We identified in-country lab partners who will be trained to carry out eDNA extractions and barcoding of swab samples to add to the reference library.

  • We linked up with the SECOSUD II project and will aim to integrate our barcoding effort with the BioNoMo system created by that project.

  • We developed a new kit for collecting DNA from identified specimens to add to the reference library. This is based on a simple swabbing protocol and was optimized to maxmise cost-efficiency and ease-of-use both in the field and the lab.

  • We carried out testing (in the UK) to check that we could provide sampling kits with unwrapped components in order to reduce the amount of plastic waste. We also tested whether non-expert users (including children) could collect good quality samples, and demonstrated that even samples collected by young children give equivalent data to those collected by eDNA experts.

  • We assessed the completeness of existing reference libraries for vertebrates in Mozambique and created a searchable reference tool to query the availability of 12S reference sequences particular species.

  • We compiled a set of relevant scientific research papers and an FAQs document as resources for project partners. These are available via this link.

MozamSeq

You can explore the data from the MozamSeq project, read our stakeholder and citizen science reports, and even take a glimpse into the plans for Phase 2 below.

SEE THE DATA

View the MozamSeq biodiversity data on our interactive data platform.

STAKEHOLDERS REPORT

The MozamSeq project involved eDNA kit testing & sampling with local communities and stakeholders.

PHASE 2 REPORT

This report details the achievements from MozamSeq Phase 1, and outlines the project summary for MozamSeq Phase 2.

CITIZEN SCIENCE REPORT

eDNA for citizen scientists: See how eDNA methods have been used by citizen scientists to collect important biodiversity data.

eDNA Testimonials

“With NatureMetrics’ innovative  aquatic  eDNA  service,  we  at  WWF  Peru  were  able  to  fully achieve   our   survey   goal   of   detecting   the   spatial   distributions   of   six   culturally   and commercially important aquatic species along the Marañon river, and we exceeded our goal by also detecting hundreds of additional vertebrate species, which we can now start to take into  account  in  designing  a  sensitive  index  of  basin-ecosystem  health.Without  eDNA  and NatureMetrics,  we  would  have  been  relegated  to  visual  surveys  for  just  river  dolphins,  itself requiring more field time than the eDNA survey, and to opportunistic interviews for the other five  target  species,  which  are  less  reliable,  auditable,  and  systematic.  The  hundreds  of  other species detections would not have been possible at all.”

– WWF Peru

“Thanks to the eDNA service provided by NatureMetrics, ERM has been able to prove the efficacy and Health and Safety benefits of using eDNA as a survey technique and to highlight its value as a method of rapidly scoping sites without the need for a specialist taxonomist to be present.  Following the successful use of eDNA in the Sierra Leone project, ERM has since commissioned NatureMetrics to analyse samples taken at mining development sites in Serbia, with promising results, including the detection of species of conservation concern not picked up by conventional survey methods.”

– Environmental Resources Management (ERM)

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