The Conservancy uses cutting-edge scientific methods, like eDNA, to monitor our wildlife. Conservancy staff, volunteers, and interns collect pond water samples to monitor endangered California Tiger Salamanders on The Preserve. California tiger salamanders seek habitat in vernal pools, grasslands, and oak woodlands.Monitoring the endangered Tiger Salamander is difficult, as they live underground in the burrows of ground squirrels and burrowing owls. Monitoring populations on the Preserve is a challenge, since this species is highly elusive. Enter, Environmental DNA, a process that allows us to detect the presence of California tiger salamaders from pond water sampling. This precision method can detect the presence of the target species when trace concentrations of genetic materials are present in a water sample.
