Ecology relies on surveys of nature so that we can track which species are where, what they are doing, and what factors are having an impact on their abundance and distribution.
The revolution in molecular biology and DNA sequencing permeates ecology because DNA-based methods allow us to identify and track species in unprecedented detail. Whereas identification was previously a labour-intensive exercise involving a lifetime to master even a small taxonomic group, DNA based methods allow a rapid and standardised method that can track species dynamics at scale while also allowing the identification of 'cryptic' species that may not have clear morphological differences. Many species are also difficult to find but leave traces of their DNA in the environment (eDNA), which can be used for example to identify species even without laying eyes on the creature. Researchers at Silwood are using this technology to survey crested newts and to identify cryptic biodiversity on coral reefs.