eDNA testing offers a powerful new way to understand your lake’s health and safety without relying solely on traditional sampling. By analyzing tiny traces of genetic material shed by fish, plants, algae, and even pathogens, eDNA reveals what species are present, including invasive or harmful ones that might otherwise go undetected. It’s a fast, non-invasive, and data-rich tool that helps

Lake Pulse subscribers track ecosystem changes, detect risks early, and make smarter, science-based decisions to protect their lake.

- Each order includes three (3) sampling kits, allowing collection of discrete water samples from 3 targeted locations around the lake

- All materials required for clean and simple sample collection

- Step-by-step instructions for preparing your sample (see below)

- Shipping to our certified partner lab (Wilder)

- Full chain-of-custody and professional lab handling to ensure accuracy and reliability

- Each eDNA sample receives an online sample report. These reports include interactive and visual ways to explore, communicate, and share your eDNA results.

READ BEFORE YOU GO SAMPLE YOUR LAKE

1. Put on gloves and draw 50ml water into large syringe, removing any air.

2. Screw on filter, push water through and unscrew filter.

3. Repeat 20 times until 1L has been filtered or filter is clogged.

4. Push a syringeful of air through filter to remove excess water.

5. Unscrew black cap from small syringe and screw onto filter.

6. Unscrew filter from large syringe and screw onto small syringe.

7. Inject preservative into filter and shake well.

8. Put filter with small syringe and cap still attached in this bag.

9. Seal bag and write sample details in space below.

10. Complete online submission at wilderlab.co/submit-samples.

11. Print and sign chain of custody (CoC) form.

12. Send samples and CoC form to the address provided in the auto-email.

* These instructions are also printed on the back of each sampling it bag

For more information and instructional videos, visit wilderlab.co/directions

- Your detailed eDNA results will be available within 15 business days of lab receipt. You will receive an email.

- Results are uploaded directly to your lake’s Data Sources hub under Lab Testing for easy access and long-term reference

Making the most of your report

Each Lake Pulse eDNA sample receives an online sample report which can be viewed via the eDNA explore map.  These reports include interactive and visual ways to explore, communicate, and share your eDNA results. 

Each report contains the following sections:

Sample Information: This section includes information about the sample(s) including the type of kit and assay package used. Information such as the sample reference, environment type, and coordinates are submitted through our sample submission form. 

Featured Species: Here you will see images relating to some of the species identified in your sample(s). Clicking on an image will open a link to the relevant Wikipedia page so you can find out more about what was detected and identified.

These are continually being added to so a future version of the report may see additions to this section!

Taxon Results: This is the section of your report with the most detail about what species/taxa were found in your sample(s). There is one row for each unique taxon (ie species, genus, etc) found in the sample(s). These assignments are the best match at the time the reports are generated and will continue to be refined as new information is discovered.

Wheel of Life: The "Wheel of Life" is a colourful and engaging way to help you visualise and communicate the breadth of your eDNA results. It is a way to visualise the taxa found in a sample based on the taxonomic group they fall under. WilderLab - Lake Pulse’s partner, has  developed a Shiny Wheel application where you can upload a sample report and create your own Wheel of Life. Wheels can be created using results from multiple samples by simply uploading multiple reports. You can also download available taxa silhouettes from our partner library and use these to populate your wheel.