Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is like a dust that animals leave behind — the dust of species. We can collect this dust from water without bothering the nearby animals, then use it to create a map of all the creatures living in that water system.
To make sense of this dust — eDNA — scientists use a special library that matches DNA to the names of animal species. Dr. Christopher Meyer and his team at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History are building a global library of species. This library will let people everywhere learn more about what animals and plants are living in different regions.
Wild salmon help show us if an ecosystem is healthy. When we see them come back to rivers where they couldn't live before, we know that we’re making a real difference in improving the environment. Using eDNA, scientists can track salmon from where they were born to the ocean and back again. This helps us see not only the salmon but also all the different kinds of life that support them. It's like discovering a whole world of connected animals and plants that keep these ecosystems alive.
Our world is currently facing big challenges, like climate change and losing many different kinds of animals and plants. The Salmon School is working to help everyone better understand the world we live in. When we observe nature, we learn about it — and we can learn a lot and make a huge difference by working together. Together, we can all learn, help our environment, and make our world better for everyone living here.
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