Additional items required
(Not included with the kit)
- A device to capture latitude and longitude in decimal degrees format, to at least 4 decimal places, e.g., GPS-capable smartphone or standalone GPS device
- A pencil to complete the datasheet
- A timer
- Sampling with a team? We provide one mask and one pair of gloves per kit to minimize waste. Please purchase extra type IIR surgical masks and medical-grade nitrile gloves for any additional participants. (One mask and pair of gloves, per participant, per kit.)
USER PROTOCOL
Preparation
1. Define your intended sample area of maximum 10 square metres.
2. Open the outer kit bag. Only open one kit bag at a time to minimize contamination between samples. Peel the bar code off each swab tube and stick them onto the designated areas on the datasheet.
3. Put on the provided mask and gloves. Once gloves are on, do not touch your phone, face, or anything other than the sampling equipment and vegetation. Change gloves between every new kit/location.
Swabbing
4. Remove one of the swab tubes from the kit bag. Twist the lid on the tube to break the seal and pull the swab out. Keep the swab tube to store the used swab.
5. Submerge the swab in the swabbing buffer for a few seconds. Remove the swab from the buffer and then begin swabbing vegetation in the sample area for a minimum of 3 minutes. Apply firm pressure and twist the swab while swabbing a variety of different surfaces.
6. Return the used swab to the swab tube and push cap on firmly to seal.
7. Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 with the second swab, within in the same sample area. Place both used swab tubes into the specimen safety bag.
Post Swabbing
8. Complete the datasheet using a pencil (please do not use a pen as ink can easily run and become unreadable).Use your datasheet to complete your sample manifest for all samples being shipped back to NatureMetrics. To view an example sample manifest please visit: naturemetrics.com/sample-manifest
9. Place the datasheet into the specimen safety bag along with the swab tubes. Keep the datasheet information visible when in the bag (in case you need to refer to it later). Seal the specimen safety bag inside the original outer kit bag.Both heat and sunlight can degrade the DNA in your samples. If storing your samples overnight (or longer) before shipping to our labs, please keep themrefrigerated at 2-4°C.Samples can be stored for up to one month in the refrigerator,but should not be frozen or stored at ambient temperature. Please ship your samples to NatureMetrics as soon as possible.
10. Book your shipping by contacting Support@naturemetrics.co.uk or use this form and choose Book a Sample Return, and upload your sample manifest.NatureMetrics is fully compliant with current legislation on the transport of biological material and our team are on hand to ensure all return shipments meet the required specifications. Please note: we are only able to analyze samples that are returned using the correct NatureMetrics logistics procedure - please always contact NatureMetrics to arrange the transport of your samples.
Important tips for surface swabbing
Wear the mask and gloves to avoid contamination: Avoiding contamination is vital to improving the confidence of results. The mask and gloves provided help to avoid contamination from your skin and breath, which can transfer onto surfaces or directly onto the swabs. Wear the mask and gloves before touching other kit components.
Be careful what you touch: While wearing the gloves, avoid touching anything that is not necessary to sampling. This will help minimize the introduction of external eDNA into your sample. Gloves should be changed between each kit.
Use one kit at a time: Sealed kits are sterile until opened. To avoid contamination, do not open more than one kit bag at a time and keep kit contents inside the bag before use.
Swab for 3 minutes: To obtain the best representation of the surrounding biodiversity, swab a variety of trees and vegetation for a minimum of 3 minutes.
Apply firm pressure: When swabbing vegetation, applying pressure will improve sample quality. If helpful, place a hand behind the leaf, stem, or flower while swabbing.
Include artificial structures: If vegetation is limited, you can also swab artificial structures such as walls or fences (not relevant if you are swabbing for pollinators).
Minimize human DNA: Try to minimize swabbing surfaces that are in direct contact with humans, such as park benches.
Avoid soil-covered areas: Try to avoid swabbing areas that are covered with soil.
Swabbing for mammals and birds: If you see signs of activity (foraging, grazing etc.) we recommend swabbing directly over these areas. Sampling lower down may increase the likelihood of collecting eDNA from ground-dwelling mammals.
Swabbing for pollinators: If you see plants in bloom, we recommend swabbing the flower heads and petals directly. Focusing on open flowers and the upper side of surfaces increases the likelihood of collecting eDNA left behind by visiting insects.
Swab during dry weather: If possible, swab during periods of dry weather, as eDNA is more likely to accumulate in these conditions. Rainfall can wash away eDNA.
Keep kit contents in the bag before use: Outside of the bag, it can pick up additional DNA.
Shipping Info
Please note: samples cannot be moved across borders without permission, as they are classed as biological samples. Please ensure you have exports permits and any other relevant permissions from the necessary authorities in place before shipping your samples. If you require assistance please contact us.
Where possible, please return your samples using the box in which your kits were sent. If using an alternative box, ensure that it is in good condition and remove any existing labels.
Avoid samples moving around inside the box by filling excess space with cushioning material (e.g. bubble wrap, newspaper) .
Use good quality sealing tape and seal along box edges in a H pattern.
The only essential items to send back to us are the specimen safety bag containing the swab tubes and the sampling datasheets. However, all kit contents can be sent back to NatureMetrics for recycling.
If storing your samples overnight (or longer) before shipping to our labs, please keep themrefrigerated at 2-4°C.Samples can be stored for up to one month in the refrigerator,but should not be frozen or stored at ambient temperature. Please ship your samples to NatureMetrics as soon as possible.
A note on results
- Failure to detect a species does not prove it is absent. The species may be present in the sample area, even if its DNA was not found in your specific sample.
- Species from common food items, domestic species and livestock species should to be interpreted with caution. DNA can enter an ecosystem via many routes (e.g. wastewater from commercial and domestic sources, human transportation etc.). While DNA from a given taxon may be present and detectable, it is not possible to discern the source of the DNA.
- Samples from some locations might have compounds that inhibit analyses resulting in reduced data generation.
Final check list
- Ensure all efforts are made to avoid contamination from external sources and between samples, and limit the amount of human DNA in samples. Please wear gloves while sampling. The less contamination and human DNA in samples, the more robust the results.
- Reduce exposure of samples to heat and sunlight, as this can degrade DNA.
- Obtain necessary permits & permissions for access to survey area, the undertaking of sampling activities and export permits for shipping samples (biological material) to NatureMetrics
Disclaimer: Safe sample collection is the responsibility of the Client. NatureMetrics accepts no liability associated with the use of the kits and sample collection. The Client is solely responsible for the quality of the samples and the representativeness of the samples received by NatureMetrics. The information contained within the insights provided by NatureMetrics to the Client are not intended to be advisory, they are informational. Interpretation and decisions are the sole responsibility of the Client. NatureMetrics does not accept any liability whatsoever for any reliance placed on any information contained within, or any use that may be made of, the insights by the Client. Please read the full limitation of liability statement in theTerms and Conditions.
Health & Safetyinformation for this kit can be viewedhere.
