Freshwater species populations have declined by 85% since 1970, a loss that threatens not only ecosystems but also global economies—more than half of global GDP depends on nature. Yet measuring biodiversity has traditionally been slow, expensive, and inconsistent. A UK-based company, NatureMetrics, is changing that with environmental DNA (eDNA) technology, turning simple water samples into a global biodiversity map.
How eDNA Works
Every living organism sheds genetic material—skin cells, saliva, or other biological traces—into its environment. This DNA persists for days to weeks. NatureMetrics has simplified the collection process: anyone, anywhere, can use a field kit to filter a liter of river water and send it to their lab. “We wanted to make sure that the sample collection process was simple enough for a five-year-old to do, so we tested it on a five-year-old,” says CEO Dimple Patel. “She got excellent results.”
In the lab, DNA sequencing technology—similar to forensic science—identifies every species present. The method is non-invasive: no trapping, no netting, no disturbance. “It takes a fraction of the time, a fraction of the cost, but gives you an incredibly accurate and rich data set,” Patel explains.
From Data to Decisions
NatureMetrics now operates the largest commercial eDNA laboratory network, spanning 116 countries and serving over 600 organizations. This year, it reached a milestone: surveying 10% of the planet’s surface. The data feeds into a platform that maps species detections, tracks ecosystem health over time, and compares sites—for instance, showing whether restoration work in a degraded woodland is producing measurable improvement.
Clients range from conservation groups like WWF to heavy-impact industries such as mining and energy, and increasingly agricultural supply chains. Patel cites partnerships with major consumer goods companies working to protect soil bacteria and fungi that underpin food production. “How can we on a biological level help nurture the soil that is going to continue to give us food for the next 50 years?” she asks.
The goal is to make biodiversity data “decision ready”—usable by companies and organizations to direct capital, manage operations, and account for their impact on nature. “It's the data layers to be a thousand miles away from a site and be able to know, at a granular level of detail, what is happening there and what you can do to help it,” Patel says.
Recognition and Future Ambitions
NatureMetrics’ work was recognized by the Earthshot Prize finals, founded by the Prince of Wales. For Patel, the credibility has opened doors in industries slow to adopt new technology. “Having someone like the Earthshot Prize, where you know they have done due diligence—being able to say we're supported by them, they trust our technology—it really opens a lot of doors,” she says.
Looking ahead, Patel wants to move biodiversity from the field into the financial mainstream. “We want nature to be on balance sheets,” she says. “We want organisations and companies to be actually valuing the impact they're having on nature and accounting for that in the way that they operate their businesses and make their decisions.” The data already exists; the next challenge is persuading business leaders to act on it.
As Europe faces record heatwaves and strained river ecosystems, tools like eDNA offer a practical way to monitor and protect freshwater biodiversity. The technology is already being used to assess the impact of climate change on European waterways, providing data that can inform policy and conservation efforts.
