How does eDNA work?

There are two methods for identifying sources of eDNA – Barcoding & Metabarcoding:

• eDNA Barcoding: This method targets a specific gene to detect a single species. It was utilised in the Hornsby platypus eDNA pilot project.
• eDNA Metabarcoding: This is the analysis method used in Creeks & Critters and allows for the simultaneous identification of many taxa within the same sample. The main difference between barcoding and metabarcoding is that metabarcoding does not focus on one specific organism, but instead aims to determine species composition within a sample.