Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: ABSTRACT Airborne environmental DNA (eDNA) is an emerging tool for biodiversity assessment, enabling the detection of organisms from biological particles suspended in the air. Recent studies have demonstrated its potential for detecting diverse taxonomic groups, with applications in conservation, biosecurity, and ecological monitoring. However, given the early stage of development and the diversity of collection approaches, it remains unclear how key sampling design parameters influence airborne eDNA collection, detection, and ecological inference. Here, we use a simple, low‐cost, 3D‐printable passive collection device to systematically evaluate the effects of filter surface area, sampling duration, and post‐collection storage on target‐species detection and community recovery. Using species‐specific qPCR targeting European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ), shingleback lizard ( Tiliqua rugosa ), and tiger ( Panthera tigris ), alongside general vertebrate 12SV5 and mammal‐specific Mam1/2 metabarcoding, we found that smaller filters generally improved detection sensitivity, recovered signal increased rapidly over short deployment periods before showing diminishing gains, and dry storage for 28 days had only modest effects on detection outcomes. Zoo deployments recovered ecologically plausible signals, although zoo‐held taxa were detected inconsistently across replicate filters. Together, these findings demonstrate that sampling design can substantially influence detection within passive airborne eDNA workflows and provide practical guidance for developing scalable and reproducible monitoring strategies.
Source: Environmental DNA
DOI: 10.1002/edn3.70384
Authors: Rachel L. Tulloch, Nunzio Knerr, Erin E. Hahn
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,880
OpenAlex ID: W7222890923