This glossary is in alphabetical order.
Biodiversity
The variety of life on Earth in all its forms, from genes and bacteria to entire ecosystems such as forests or coral reefs.
Contaminant DNA
Unwanted genetic material that can inadvertently be introduced into a sample, potentially interfering with genetic analysis.
DNA degradation
The process of breaking down or destruction of DNA molecules over time, which can result in DNA not being amplified and detected. Degradation may occur due to UV light exposure, high temperatures, and specific chemistry of the environment.
DNA match
A sequence in a sample that is assigned to a species because it is similar to a DNA sequence in the reference databases.
Ecosystem
A community of living organisms interacting with each other and their non-living environment.
Ecosystem integrity
Ability of an ecological system to support and maintain its organizational structure, ecological processes and functions and ability to support and maintain biodiversity. Resilience to environmental changes and disturbances.
eDNA
Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to traces of genetic material (DNA) that organisms leave behind in their surroundings like skin cells, mucus, feces, hair, or other biological materials. This genetic material can be collected and analyzed to detect the organisms that it originated from.
eDNA Kits
We provide different types of kits for eDNA collection*. They contain all the necessary materials and instructions to collect your samples in the field and then store and transport them. Each kit allows you to collect one sample. (*Our tissue kits do not include the nets or traps that might be required to collect the invertebrates, which are then transferred into our tissue kit).
False Positives
A test result that incorrectly indicates the presence of a species that is actually not present near the area.
Invasive Species
Species introduced in a new environment that cause significant harm to the existing ecosystem.
IUCN Threatened Species
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species classifications provide a comprehensive system for assessing the conservation status of species worldwide, from most to least threatened.
Metabarcoding (multi-species)
Metabarcoding is a modern molecular method used to detect and characterize multiple species within one eDNA sample simultaneously, by using DNA sequencing.
Metrics
Quantitative measures used for comparing environmental condition and tracking performance.
Named species
Named species for the tests selected where a DNA sequence can be assigned with high confidence to a species name.
OTU
Stands for Operational Taxonomic Unit. An OTU is a DNA sequence found in a sample, and, in most cases, is broadly equivalent to a species.
Primer
Short sections of synthesized DNA that bind to either end of the DNA segment to be amplified by PCR. Can be designed to be totally specific to a particular species (so that only that species’ DNA will be amplified from a community DNA sample), or to be very general so that a wide range of species’ DNA will be amplified. Good design of primers is one of the critical factors in DNA-based monitoring. You can find more about all the tests we offer here.
Project
Within the NatureMetrics Intelligence Platform, your data is managed in projects. A project is a dataset comprised of one of more sampling events with the same: sampling cadence; number and type of tests (assays); and sampling groups. Your users are given access only to the specific projects you grant them access to. In this way, Projects allow you to control access, confidentiality and privacy of your datasets.
Project manager
Primary contact responsible for aspects of the project. Receives all project-related notifications and communications.
qPCR (single-species)
Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), also known as real-time PCR, is a powerful molecular biology technique used to amplify and simultaneously quantify DNA. The high specificity of the qPCR method makes it ideal for situations where a single target is required. The most common use of qPCR testing is for detection of great crested newts from water samples.
Reference Databases
A reference DNA database is a comprehensive collection of verified DNA sequences used for genetic identification and comparison.
Reference DNA sequence
A standardized, well-characterized DNA sequence used as a baseline for comparing and analyzing genetic information.
Report
Your eDNA results and accompanying metrics and analysis. If you have purchased our Insights product, you have access to enhanced interactive reporting, plus our standard reports:
Single-species (qPCR) results (including great crested newt (for UK licensing) are detailed in a PDF
Multi-species (metabarcoding) results are detailed across a PDF and an excel data table - which includes your OTU table.
Sample Group
A customer defined label that groups samples together to allow for comparative analyses. One group of samples can be compared to another.
Site Manager
Responsible for the site operations, manages the collections of the samples on site.
Species Of Interest
If you have purchased our Insights product, you are able to choose a number of ‘species of interest’. These species will be highlighted in your report.
Species Richness
Refers to the total number of species detected.
Subsample
Individual samples combined to form one single sample, that will be treated by NatureMetrics as one sample. For example, when sampling in a pond, customers may need to subsample from different areas of the pond and combine these as one sample, to get a better understanding of the biodiversity in the pond.
Target Species
Species targeted by a selected test, for example, our fish tests targets fish; our mammals tests target mammals.
Taxonomy
The scientific discipline of identifying, describing, classifying, and naming living organisms.
Tests (assays)
Each test (assay) is designed to detect a particular group of species, or just one single species. Those that target groups of species, e.g. ‘fish’ or ‘mammals’ are referred to as multi-species (metabarcoding) tests. Those that target one single species, e.g. European eel, or zebra mussel, are referred to as single-species (qPCR) tests.
Time point / Sampling Event
Refers to the period of time when a set of samples was taken, e.g. wet season, spring, December, etc. The name of the sampling event is defined by the customers with the Insights product.
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