One of the largest citizen scientist projects in the world launched in Victoria this week in response to the platypus being listed as threatened in the State for the first time.
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) said collecting environmental DNA (eDNA) data was the first step to reversing platypus population decline and The Great Australian Platypus Search gave citizen scientists the opportunity to take part in the vital work.
“Samples will be gathered by citizen scientists during the 2021 platypus breeding season (August-October), to be analysed in the lab by key project partner, EnviroDNA,” the DELWP said.
“With this data, scientists will be able to map platypus populations across the State, highlighting platypus refuge areas that can be immediately supported,” it said.
“This project will be utilising innovative eDNA technology, which can detect the DNA of animals over large spatial areas.”
The DELWP said all citizen scientists, including school students, children, community groups and businesses could all easily take part in the Search.
The Department said Search volunteers would use sampling kits to collect water samples from more than 1,500 sites across Victoria.
“Data of this quality and consistency has never been gathered on this scale before in Australia, and potentially the world, making this one of the most significant citizen-science and biodiversity research projects in history,” it said.
Further information on the project, including how to get involved, can be accessed at this PS News link.
