Simple Water Test Maps Life Across 10% of Planet

Measuring what's disappearing from our planet just got dramatically easier, and the results are already reshaping how we protect nature.

NatureMetrics has reached a remarkable milestone: using environmental DNA technology, the company has now surveyed 10% of Earth's surface for biodiversity. The process is so simple that CEO Dimple Patel tested it on a five-year-old before rolling it out globally.

Here's how it works. Every living creature sheds DNA into its surroundings through skin cells, saliva, and other traces. That genetic material lingers in water and soil for days or weeks, waiting to tell its story.

A single liter of river water captures DNA from every fish, amphibian, mammal, and insect that's been nearby. Back in the lab, the same sequencing technology used in forensic science identifies each species present.

The old way of tracking wildlife required trained ecologists spending weeks in the field, often producing inconsistent results. Two scientists visiting the same river might create completely different species lists, making it nearly impossible to compare data or spot trends.

NatureMetrics ships sampling kits to 116 countries, no specialist training required. Users collect a water or soil sample, send it back, and receive a detailed map showing what lives there. The process disturbs nothing and costs a fraction of traditional surveys.

More than 600 organizations now use the platform, from WWF to mining companies to food manufacturers. Agricultural giants are using it to protect the soil bacteria and fungi that will feed us for the next 50 years.

The Ripple Effect

The technology is changing conversations in boardrooms. When NatureMetrics became an Earthshot Prize finalist, potential partners stopped asking whether the science worked and started asking what they could achieve together.

Industries that once struggled to measure their environmental impact can now track ecosystem health over time and see whether restoration efforts are actually working. A degraded woodland can be monitored season by season to confirm whether it's recovering.

The goal is making biodiversity data "decision ready" so companies can direct money and operations based on what's actually happening to nature. Patel envisions executives being able to know exactly what's living at a remote site and what actions would help most.

Freshwater species populations have dropped 85% since 1970, threatening everything from agricultural supply chains to natural flood protection. Now we finally have a tool that can measure the problem at scale and show us where our efforts are making a difference.