Environmental DNA Tools for Mapping Appalachian Salamander Communities

Watch a conference presentation from the Georgia Water Resources Conference exploring environmental DNA (eDNA) techniques for mapping salamander populations in the Appalachian Mountains. Learn about innovative solutions to challenges in surveying these ecologically important amphibians, including species identification and detection of cryptic species. Discover how eDNA methods are applied across different scales - from targeted surveys in major rivers to comprehensive community assessments in headwater streams. Gain insights into the practical applications, advantages, and limitations of these techniques through real-world field experiences, with specific focus on patchnosed, waterdog, and plethodonate salamanders in collaboration with the Great Smoky Mountains Institute. Understand the current state of eDNA mapping technology and its potential for future development in amphibian research and conservation.