Digital Data in Biodiversity Research Conference

Environmental DNA (eDNA) is recognized as a valuable tool for understanding biodiversity but has not seen broad acceptance. Sliced Bread Design, a user experience agency, CALeDNA at UCSC, and Oceankind conducted a user research study with sixteen scientists and researchers to understand opportunities for breaking down barriers to eDNA use.

The research revealed a gap between land managers' need for trustworthy data, the uncertainties associated with eDNA, and the lack of access to geneticists to help with data interpretation. There were many unknowns about how to set up an effective study and analyze unexpected results. Furthermore, while interviewees collaborated extensively as a normal course of work, many did not yet have that network built up for eDNA .

Based on these insights, we designed eDNA Explorer, an easy to use digital platform to help people plan eDNA projects, understand the results visually without the help of a geneticist, and collaborate with others. The platform also integrates complementary geospatial data and facilitates comparisons with other biomonitoring methods.

The platform has seen high engagement and early success. As a next step, the team is applying ML across eDNA and geospatial data on the platform to inform biodiversity health assessments and predictions.

Co-authors: Julie Stanford, Principal, Sliced Bread Design, CEO, eDNA Explorer; Rachel Meyer, Assistant Professor, UC Santa Cruz. Director of CALeDNA, CSO, eDNA Explorer; Jennifer Kim, UX Designer and Researcher, Sliced Bread Design; Jenny Mailhot, Director of Design, Sliced Bread Design; Audrey Yang, UX Designer and Researcher, Sliced Bread Design