Research Insights

Unlike terrestrial animals, which can often find routes around obstacles fragmenting their habitat, fish are trapped by barriers in their path. A dam or weir that interrupts a river's natural flow can prevent species from reaching the upstream habitats where they would feed, breed, and thrive — with serious consequences for population health and biodiversity.

Edward's research uses eDNA — genetic material shed naturally by fish into the water — to map where different species are present without disturbing the ecosystem. By collecting environmental data from the river alongside eDNA samples, researchers can build computer models that identify the best available habitat for each species and assess whether existing barriers are preventing fish from reaching it. The models take into account the physical capabilities of different species — their swimming and jumping abilities — to determine which barriers present a genuine obstacle.

By combining this approach with spatial statistical network modelling, the research aims to pinpoint precisely where interventions would make the greatest difference. Crucially, the work doesn't stop at understanding the problem: by modelling how fish access and habitat quality would change if specific barriers were removed, it offers a practical route toward river restoration and recovering fish populations.

Public Engagement

This animation was commissioned to communicate Edward's research to a general audience, making the science of eDNA, habitat modelling and river connectivity accessible without prior knowledge of ecology or statistics. It is intended for use in public engagement, educational, and conference settings.

This is one of a series of animations produced for Envision PhD researchers. Envision runs a competition in which early-career researchers submit a brief for an animated film; selected winners have their research brought to life through professional animation.