LIFE R4ever Kent Project (LIFE20 NAT/UK/001001013) - eDNA monitoring for freshwater invertebrate species

Descriptions

The LIFE R4ever Kent project (2021 -2026) aims restore and revitalise the River Kent Special Area of Conservation (SAC) in South Cumbria and its wider catchment, so it is more resilient to environmental pressures. This unique river, located on the fringes of the English Lake District is home to internationally important populations of bullhead, white-clawed crayfish, freshwater pearl mussel and water crowfoot (Ranunculus) habitat. A key deliverable of the project is to trial new monitoring techniques by implementing the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling for testing for the presence of Freshwater Pearl Mussels, White-clawed Crayfish along with invasive Signal Crayfish and associated disease Crayfish Plague. There are three parts to this contract: •The provision of eDNA water sampling equipment/kits and protocols •DNA extraction, analysis of samples taken and reporting the result •Sequencing of qPCR products Natural England will be responsible for the collection of water samples from sites across the River Kent Catchment. Contract will be over a three year period and to be completed by 31st October 2025.