Dear colleagues,

Biology Thursday seminar will continue 18th Sep, 12:15 on site in room AT117, with

Dr. Patrick Nichols, who just started as a post doc at the Ecology and genetics unit here in Oulu, on

"Molecules to management: navigating uncertainty in environmental DNA biomonitoring of coral reefs"

Abstract: Environmental DNA (eDNA) is transforming how we monitor biodiversity, offering a rapid, non-invasive way to detect species from genetic traces in water, soil, or air. As its use expands across ecosystems and management contexts, there's growing urgency to understand how reliable these tools are, and how to communicate their limitations. This talk explores how uncertainty arises in eDNA data, from natural ecological variability to technical and methodological choices, and what that means for its application in real-world conservation. Using coral reefs, I evaluate how eDNA captures biodiversity patterns over time, how sampling methods influence detection of elusive species, and how sensitive eDNA is to early signs of invasive organisms. To bridge the gap between detection and decision-making, I apply statistical models that estimate error rates and help translate molecular signals into actionable insights. Ultimately, this work underscores the importance of pairing innovation with transparency, helping managers use eDNA effectively while navigating its uncertainties.

See also: https://pknichols.com/ https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=fQTmoxUAAAAJ

See you there!

Heikki