Applications of Environmental DNA on Invasive Species
Invasive alien species (IAS) have led to a sharp decline in local biodiversity and ecosystem functions across multiple aquatic environments. Rapid early detection, identification, monitoring and management of IAS is therefore highly essential and has become a priority within Europe.
Environmental DNA (eDNA)-based methods have recently gained traction as an innovative tool for studying biodiversity and in the early detection and monitoring of IAS. eDNA refers to genetic material that organisms leave behind in water, soil, or air, and it is increasingly used across fundamental and applied research fields such as ecology, conservation, and biomonitoring. Molecular approaches overcome certain challenges related to cryptic species or species with morphologically indistinguishable features and can be highly sensitive to detect rare and elusive species.
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the theoretical foundations of eDNA, including how it originates, persists, and moves through different environments. The course covers methods for detecting IAS within both freshwater and marine systems, with real-world examples, as well as lectures and discussions on current applications and challenges of eDNA-based methods.
For students whom have been accepted to the Nord Summer School 2026.
Students who meet one of the following criteria are qualified for Nord Summer School 2026:
If you are enrolled as a student at one of the SEA-EU Alliance universities, which are:
- University of Cadiz
- University of Bretagne Occidentale
- Kiel University
- University of Gdańsk
- University of Split
- University of Malta
- Parthenope University of Naples
- University of Algarve
or
If you are a student with an active study right at a university or university college in Norway,
or
If you are a student with an active study right at a university with whom Nord University has an exchange agreement with.
If you are unsure, please reach out to us: summerschool@nord.no
