We use eDNA from long-term air filter archives to reconstruct how ecosystems have changed over time. By applying high-throughput sequencing to weekly samples collected across Sweden since the 1960s, we can monitor all groups of organisms, from microbes to mammals, from water to land, across decades.
This approach provides a powerful “molecular time machine” for identifying ecological baselines and tracking long-term changes in biodiversity, phenology, gene abundance, and genetic diversity. It also enables detection of emerging biological threats such as pathogens and invasive species. By combining our air filter eDNA data with climate and land-use data, we can assess ecosystem impacts and generate knowledge for conservation, biosecurity, and sustainable resource management.
Read more: www.SweBITS.se