LiveStream: Using eDNA to Enhance Ecological Understanding

Recorded on May 14, 2025

Ecologists seek to understand relationships between organisms and their environment, and central to this understanding is gathering information about who is living where, when, and what they are doing while there. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is a relatively new tool that can help provide information to answer these questions and can complement, or in some cases, supplant traditional research techniques.

In this LiveStream event, Dr. James Garner (University of Massachusetts Amherst) and Dr. Kate Buckman (Connecticut River Conservancy) provided an overview of eDNA. Along with explaining the benefits and challenges of implementing eDNA studies, James and Kate gave examples of how eDNA is being used in different applications. They review their eDNA study conducted in 2024 where they looked for evidence of shortnose sturgeon in the Connecticut River north of the Turner’s Falls MA and Vernon VT dam. Spoiler alert: they found that evidence!

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About LiveStream: CRC brings your rivers to you! Join CRC staff and partners for a series of live lunchtime presentations, on select Wednesdays from Noon-1pm. You get to learn more about the rivers you love, ask questions, and interact with a river-loving community all from the comfort and safety of your home (or wherever you may be). LiveStream will be hosted via Zoom. Please register for each presentation to receive meeting information.

Check out ctriver.org/events to learn about other upcoming events.

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