Environmental DNA methods in ecology and conservation

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a powerful and rapidly advancing tool in ecological and conservation research. By analysing genetic material collected directly from environmental samples such as water, soil, sediment, and air, eDNA enables non‑invasive biodiversity monitoring, species detection, and ecosystem assessment across a wide range of environments.

This PhD school provides an introductory, interdisciplinary overview of eDNA methods and their applications in ecology, conservation biology, and environmental monitoring, with examples spanning freshwater, marine, terrestrial, airborne, and arctic ecosystems.

Key Topics

• Study design and sampling strategies for eDNA

• Demonstration of eDNA sampling techniques in the field – water, soil, air!

• Overview of Bioinformatics workflows and taxonomic assignment

• Applied eDNA for biodiversity monitoring and ecosystem management

• Strengths, limitations, and future directions of eDNA approaches

The course will comprise lectures, keynote presentations from leading eDNA researchers, practical (literature-based) group-exercises and presentations. More details, including a detailed course plan and confirmed teachers, will be announced before the end of September 2026. The course is free of charge for Danish PhD students.  PhD students from outside of Denmark will pay a fee of 2000 DKK.

The course is given with support from the Department of Ecosciences, Aarhus University. The course is organised by Georgina Brennan, Aoife Leonard and Adam Koziol (AU Department of Ecoscience) and Rumakanta Sapkota (AU Department of Environmental Science).