𝐞𝐃𝐍𝐀 𝐋𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐭 𝐂𝐍𝐑 𝐭𝐨 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡

…𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒏𝒆𝒘 𝒇𝒂𝒄𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝑵𝑹 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒑𝒑𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒆𝒇𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒖𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈-𝒆𝒅𝒈𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒄𝒉𝒏𝒐𝒍𝒐𝒈𝒚

By Kezang Choden

The College of Natural Resources (CNR) under the Royal University of Bhutan has inaugurated the country’s first environmental DNA (eDNA) laboratory, a significant milestone in biodiversity research and conservation. Developed through a collaboration involving ETH Zurich, the Department of Forests and Park Services, WWF Bhutan, WWF US, WSL Switzerland, the Bhutan Trust Fund for Environmental Conservation, and other national agencies, the facility is expected to enhance Bhutan’s scientific capacity in monitoring ecosystems. The lab will facilitate cutting-edge research by enabling the extraction of DNA from environmental samples such as water, soil, and air to identify species, track biodiversity, and observe ecological shifts using non-invasive techniques.

Dr. Loic Pellissier, Associate Professor at the Department of Environment Systems Science, stated that while Bhutan is known as a biodiversity hotspot, it currently lacks an established biodiversity database. He highlighted that environmental DNA (eDNA) presents an opportunity to create a comprehensive repository of the country’s biodiversity data. This database could serve as a crucial baseline for conservationists and scientists to support monitoring, resource allocation, and informed decision-making.

Dr. Pellissier said, “When we go to the field and try to make an inventory, it is time-consuming. But with the addition of eDNA, we now have the capacity to go to the field, take water or soil samples, and make a quick assessment of the number of species at a given site. This is a revolution for the country, because it means we can assess how biodiversity is doing and how it is evolving over time.” He further noted that the newly established lab will play a vital role in building scientific capacity and nurturing a new generation of researchers in Bhutan.

Preceding the establishment of the eDNA laboratory, a pilot environmental DNA project was carried out in the Mangde Chhu river basin. The project provided vital data that can assist the Royal Government of Bhutan in its overall conservation efforts and planning. Despite limitations in the reference database, the eDNA analysis successfully detected a total of 201 unique vertebrate taxa, with 134 identified at the species level. This highlights the technique’s strong potential to uncover vast biodiversity, even in regions that are less well studied.

Professor Pellissier emphasized the importance of establishing the environmental eDNA laboratory within a university, stating that the location is more critical than simply having the lab within the country. “Even more than having the lab inside the country, I think what is key here is that the lab is within a university,” he said. “Beyond having the capacity of a physical lab and machines, what is more important is to train people and to prepare a new generation of scientists to understand and use this technology.”

He added that the presence of the lab will open opportunities for various projects, particularly for master’s students working on eDNA and biodiversity research. These initiatives, he noted, will not only help gather better knowledge about how biodiversity is evolving especially in the face of climate change but also help students become more aware and better trained in tracking biodiversity trends. Professor Pellissier further highlighted that the lab is opening many new possibilities for the country, especially in giving students greater exposure to eDNA and biodiversity studies.

Two master’s degree students from the CNR, Jigme Thinley and Tandin Wangchuk, are currently engaged in cutting-edge research on environmental eDNA, under the guidance of a doctorate student. This work marks a significant step forward in biodiversity monitoring within Bhutan.

Speaking about his research, Tandin Wangchuk said, “As part of my ongoing academic pursuit, I am currently conducting research aimed at assessing freshwater fish diversity in Pemagatshel District through the integration of both traditional sampling methods and environmental eDNA metabarcoding techniques. This study is not only pioneering in scope but also represents a significant advancement in biodiversity monitoring efforts within Bhutan.” A key achievement of the project so far has been the successful collection and extraction of environmental samples at the newly established eDNA laboratory at CNR the first of its kind in Bhutan. This facility has opened up opportunities for advanced molecular research and the comprehensive assessment of biodiversity.

“The main objective of my research is to develop a DNA-based reference database for freshwater fish species found in Pemagatshel District. This is particularly important for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity, as accurate species identification is fundamental to effective management and protection strategies. The integration of eDNA technology enhances this process significantly by enabling the detection of species through trace genetic material left behind in water bodies without the need to physically capture or disturb the organisms,” Tandin added. While the research is still in progress, and findings specific to the local context are yet to be published, international studies have already highlighted the effectiveness of eDNA. It is seen as a powerful, non-invasive tool capable of identifying both common and cryptic species including those that are endangered or difficult to detect using traditional methods.

Upon completion, the study aims to provide a foundational DNA reference for freshwater fish in the region. The outcomes are expected to support long-term conservation efforts and enhance monitoring programs, particularly for species of conservation concern. “The non-invasive nature of eDNA techniques aligns well with the principles of sustainable and ethical research, ensuring minimal impact on fragile aquatic ecosystems. I am optimistic that this work will contribute significantly to the scientific community and support Bhutan’s broader goals in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship. I look forward to sharing more comprehensive results once the study concludes and hope that this initiative can inspire similar research efforts across the country,” Tandin Wangchuk further added.

Jigme Thinley shared that the tigers and other wide-ranging species depend heavily on habitat connectivity for survival. However, threats such as habitat fragmentation, human encroachment, and climate change are undermining this essential function. Biological Corridor Seven (BC7), located in central-eastern Bhutan, plays a crucial role in linking key protected areas,

Wangchuck Centennial National Park (WCNP), Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), and Phrumsengla National Park (PNP) and supports the movement and genetic exchange of the Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). Spanning 419.52 square kilometers, BC7 stretches from 27.825163°N, 91.304039°E in the north to 27.402930°N, 91.227943°E in the south. It falls under the administrative boundaries of Mongar and Lhuentse districts. The corridor features a rich altitudinal range from 753 to over 4,328 meters, shaping diverse biodiversity. The area comprises broadleaf, chirpine, fir, and mixed conifer forests and serves as a critical watershed, with several tributaries feeding into the 15.26-kilometre-long Kurichu River, enhancing habitat suitability for both predators and prey species.

Despite its ecological importance, BC7 faces increasing threats. Infrastructure development, road construction, and expanding human settlements continue to fragment habitats and escalate human-wildlife conflict (HWC). Climate change further compounds these challenges. Although the corridor’s value is well recognised, knowledge gaps remain in understanding prey distribution, HWC drivers, and the effectiveness of monitoring techniques such as camera traps and environmental eDNA.

Jigme Thinley said, “To address these gaps, an ongoing study is being conducted with three major objectives. First, the study aims to assess the distribution and occupancy of prey species in BC7 and examine the influence of environmental and human-related factors on their spatial patterns. Second, it seeks to analyse the patterns and drivers of human-wildlife conflict, including the perceptions of local communities. Third, the study will model tiger distribution and habitat connectivity based on prey presence and threats from both human activity and climate change.”

The study deployed 62 camera traps across 31 grid sites (3×3 km) in January 2025, which will be monitored until June. Additionally, 14 water samples were collected from seven tributaries of the Kurichu River in December 2024 for eDNA analysis. DNA extraction was carried out in the eDNA lab at the CNR, and samples have been sent to ETH University for sequencing, with results expected by May or June 2025. Moreover, a semi-structured questionnaire survey involving 129 households both inside and outside BC7 is being conducted to understand the impacts of HWC and climate change. This survey began in February 2025 and will conclude by May.

This research will offer critical ecological and socio-environmental insights into the conservation of BC7. It will produce a detailed prey occupancy map and identify key movement corridors. A comparative analysis between eDNA and camera traps will help optimize monitoring techniques. By identifying conflict hotspots and their drivers, the findings will support the development of targeted mitigation strategies. Predictive habitat models will also help forecast changes under different climate scenarios, guiding long-term conservation planning.

He emphasized that the outcomes of the study are expected to contribute significantly to tiger conservation. By pinpointing prey-rich areas and vital corridors, it will inform better habitat protection efforts. The research will also refine detection techniques and offer practical frameworks for future monitoring. It will generate data-driven strategies to reduce conflict and promote coexistence.

Furthermore, it will provide projections of climate-resilient habitats to ensure the long-term survival of tigers. The findings are expected to inform country’s conservation strategies and align with global biodiversity goals. In addition to studying prey and tiger distribution, the eDNA technique is also being explored for its broader applications. It can help detect species that are often overlooked, including herpetofauna, bats, rodents, fishes, and small mammals, using samples from water, air, or soil. There is also potential to apply these techniques more widely in collaboration with other relevant agencies. The CNR should be equipped with a sequencing machine for DNA or eDNA analysis. Currently, CNR has facilities in place up to the DNA extraction stage, which accounts for approximately 90 percent of the eDNA analysis process.