At TerraLab, our mission is simple: bring more objectivity, repeatability, and transparency to ecological consulting. That philosophy drives everything we do. From building custom tools like the STA logger to adopting cutting-edge approaches like remote sensing, smartphone-based tree measurements, and survey-grade GPS.
Now, we’re excited to take the next step in modernising ecological assessment by integrating environmental DNA (eDNA) as a standard offering in our field surveys, at no extra cost, for the rest of the year.
Why eDNA?
eDNA is revolutionising how we detect species in the environment.
Instead of relying solely on visual observations, traps, or call surveys, eDNA works by detecting the genetic traces organisms leave behind in water, soil, or air. These traces are collected from environmental samples and analysed in a lab using a method called metabarcoding, which can identify hundreds of species at once from a single sample.
It’s fast, efficient, and importantly, objective. The DNA is either there or it isn’t.
Traditional ecological surveys are time-consuming, weather-dependent, and often rely on a mix of experience and luck. Cryptic, nocturnal, or low-density species are easily missed. That’s not just a problem for science. It can delay projects, trigger costly reassessments, or result in missing species of conservation concern.
eDNA helps fill those gaps. It allows us to:
Detect species that are otherwise hard to find (e.g. fish, frogs, invertebrates, fungi)
Confirm the identity of visually observed species
Provide early warning of invasive or pest species
Screen for threatened taxa before committing to more intensive survey effort
Be sensitive and low impact on flora and fauna during assessment (e.g. no capturing or disturbing animals)
It doesn’t replace field skills. It complements them. And in some cases, it outperforms them.
What About Regulatory Acceptance?
In Victoria, regulatory acceptance of eDNA is growing, particularly for aquatic species and targeted assays. The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and the Commonwealth Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) have accepted eDNA results as part of evidence in:
EPBC Act referrals
Threatened species assessments
Targeted surveys (when using validated qPCR assays)
However, for most permit or offset decisions, agencies still require targeted, species-specific tests (such as qPCR), and visual confirmation remains important.
This is why we’re offering broad-spectrum eDNA not as a substitute for traditional methods but as a pre-screening and confirmation tool. It helps you understand what’s likely present before committing to more expensive or time-intensive field methods.
What’s Included (for Free)
Until the end of the year, we’re including metabarcoding eDNA analysis at no cost for any survey that includes a general flora or fauna assessment.
Here’s what that means:
We’ll collect water or soil samples at selected sites during our visit
These will be processed by a certified lab using high-throughput DNA metabarcoding
You’ll receive a clear report showing all detected species, cross-referenced with your visual survey data
We’ll flag any species of interest that warrant further investigation
The results help support or clarify your existing field data and can highlight species you didn’t know to look for, particularly cryptic taxa like Growling Grass Frog, invertebrates, rare plants, or invasive species.
Now Available as a Standalone Service – Just $450
We’re also launching eDNA as a standalone service for clients who want a quick and cost-effective biodiversity screening without a full ecological survey.
For an introductory price of $450 (ex GST and travel), you’ll receive:
On-site sample collection by an ecologist
A short, meandering transect survey to provide additional context
High-throughput metabarcoding analysis by a certified lab
A brief report summarising all findings, including any threatened or notable species
It’s an ideal option for early-stage site investigations, baseline biodiversity scans, or community and education projects.
Why We’re Doing This
We believe that eDNA, like high-accuracy GPS or drone mapping, is simply a better way of doing things. We don’t think you should need to ask for it or pay extra just to access smarter tools.
This offering reflects our broader commitment to:
Making environmental data more repeatable
Helping clients avoid surprises
Supporting better, evidence-based decisions in ecology and land management
We’re confident that once you see what eDNA can reveal, you’ll wonder why it wasn’t always part of the toolkit.
Want to Learn More?
If you have a project underway or one coming up and want to understand how eDNA might help, get in touch. We’re happy to walk through:
Whether eDNA is suitable for your site
What it can and can’t tell you
How results can be used and when follow-up is needed
There’s never been a better time to try it.
Let’s bring some science to the uncertainty.