Case Study: Forestry England achieves data-driven biodiversity restoration with NatureMetrics eDNA

Forestry England reveals 5,000 species with NatureMetrics

Forestry England, the largest land manager in England, faced the challenge of monitoring biodiversity across its vast 250,000-hectare estate. Traditional surveying methods were inadequate for capturing the full spectrum of species, particularly hard-to-survey groups like fungi and invertebrates that are crucial for ecosystem health. They needed a scalable, data-driven approach to establish a biodiversity baseline and track the success of their restoration efforts. To address this, they partnered with vendor NatureMetrics and utilized its eDNA technology.

NatureMetrics implemented a large-scale soil eDNA sampling strategy, analyzing 659 samples from 21 forest sites. The results were transformative, revealing over 5,000 unique fungal species—more than all historical records combined—and providing an unprecedented view of the ecosystem. The data, processed through the NatureMetrics Platform into actionable metrics, showed a 112% uplift in rare species at restoration sites and directly informed on-the-ground actions like soil translocation. This provided Forestry England with a robust baseline for data-driven, adaptive management and set a new standard for biodiversity monitoring in managed forests.

Forestry England