This approach, often referred to as qPCR or real-time qPCR, targets the DNA of one species within your sample. We can either use an already established assay or work with you to design a new one that will target your species of interest. This is a great method to use if you need to detect the presence of a species that may be:

• Rare and/or elusive: It is often difficult to determine the presence of rare organisms using traditional biomonitoring methods, particularly if they are elusive as well. eDNA can be used to locate these organisms through the small traces of DNA they leave behind in their environment.
• Distribution assessments: Some organisms occur over a broad distribution, and using traditional methods to determine the extend of the distribution can be time consuming and costly. eDNA analysis allows you to collect samples across broad area and use these to evaluate the true extend of the species’ distribution.
  
• Invasive species: Early warning of the presence of an invasive species is crucial for management purposes. eDNA techniques can be applied across wide areas and obtain quick results to enable effective management where invasives are found. An additional advantage of this technique over traditional monitoring methods is that it will detect the presence of these organisms at any life-stage; this includes larval stages that are not able to be visually observed.