Monitoring Island Biodiversity using environmental DNA

Nan’ao County is the only island county in Guangdong Province, and its waters are home to rich marine life. Like many islands, it faces climate change, human pressure and limited conservation resources. To protect nature more precisely, local researchers and managers built a biodiversity baseline using eDNA, underwater video, and AI-powered species identification. A smart monitoring system and joint patrols by several agencies, with more than 460 patrols in five years, help enforce protection. Outreach programs and trained volunteers also bring local people into the work as stewards of their own coast.