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Building the eBioAtlas

Building the eBioAtlas

Partnering with scientists to restore biodiversity 

In response to our world’s double crises of climate change and accelerated biodiversity loss, Exodus Adventure Travels have made a Nature Positive commitment, to ensure our adventures give far more back to nature than they take. As part of this commitment, we are excited to establish a partnership with the tech science company NatureMetrics.  We are supporting their work which, together with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),  is building an important database of biodiversity, the eBioAtlas.

Together, we are enabling our clients to take part on the collection of environmental DNA samples on their adventures, collecting freshwater samples on their adventures, to help support conservation action and inform world biodiversity policy – with Citizen Science Departures on selected trips. To put this new science to the test, Exodus recently led a small team on a 10-day scientific expedition deep into the Peruvian Amazon to help understand what is currently living in a remote tributary in the Tamshiyacu Tahuayo Community Reserve, and how this data collection method could be used to protect and benefit both the wildlife and the communities that live alongside it. Find out more below. 

What is the eBioAtlas?

The eBioAtlas, a joint initiative of IUCN and NatureMetrics, aims to monitor biodiversity in different areas around the world, in order to map the distribution of various species and contribute to global knowledge of ecosystems through genetics and cutting-edge technology.

The sample-taking process is based on the fact that species leave traces of their DNA in different environments, such as waterways, wetlands and forests. Using the innovative eDNA technique, it is possible to know the species present in different ecosystems, as well as their migration habits by simply pushing water through a filter with a syringe.

The information collected will be part of the world’s largest repository of flora and fauna species data, contributing not only to local biodiversity but also to a complete global map. This will inform species assessments on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and help identify sites in need of protection as Key Biodiversity Areas.

Why and how is Exodus involved?

Our planet faces unprecedented challenges – not only the climate crisis, but biodiversity collapse. The nature and unique ecosystems that we take clients to explore on our adventures are vital for the survival of our global society but are left increasingly under threat. As a tour operator, creating sustainable adventures is at the heart of everything we do and how we operate, and we are continuously and proactively seeking ways to make a positive impact. We wanted to take a big step further in our commitment to the natural world, which is why we set a goal to ‘become Nature Net Positive’ by the end of 2024, and one of the ways we set out to achieve this is by seeking to support projects that promote nature’s restoration and regeneration, like the eBioAtlas programme.

This project not only enables us to use our trips to help support a scientifically ground-breaking conservation initiative, but it also enables our clients and supplier partners to get directly involved in increasing our knowledge of endangered species around the world and helping to preserve and restore nature.

To read more about Exodus’ commitment to nature, through our Nature Net Positive plan, click here.

“While taking the samples themselves was the real motive of this trip, the power of this technology came to life throughout the expedition. We followed stories of local voices, biodiversity and gaps in our understanding to uncover ways of how best to conserve and protect these environments.  

We met with local communities to learn how this data could provide evidence for what fish species are present in their lake. A comprehensive picture of what lives there is critical to support local stakeholders in their efforts to mobilise their own fisheries management plan. We also took samples at the junction of the Rio Maranon and Rio Ucayali to understand more about the iconic Pink Amazon River Dolphin. We still know little about their diet and so hope this data will help answer some of those important ecological questions.  

Finally, we pushed up into the Blanquillo river, to our final site of sampling. For the first time, this expedition has the potential to set a strong biodiversity baseline to work from which will help measure and track changes in the region in a robust and scalable way.” 

– Lizzie Daly

Our Citizen Science Departures

Exodus and NatureMetrics have partnered together to enable client involvement in eDNA (environmental DNA) sample collection across a number of our trips throughout the world – we’re calling these our Citizen Science Departures. These samples will play a vital role in building the eBioAtlas, and once they’re analysed, clients on these trips will receive an update on what valuable conservation data samples from their trip has helped to identify.  

We are excited to offer Citizen Science Departures on 20 of our trips, highlighted below. These ‘Special Departures’ are displayed on the Dates & Prices tab. For further information on the sampling process, click here.

Inca Trail & the Amazon Rainforest

TPJ
15 Days from USD 5,599

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Trekking, jungle and indigenous culture – the best Peru has to offer

Walking & Trekking

Zambezi Canoe Safari

Building the eBioAtlas
8 Days from USD 2,599

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Canoeing and walking safari in the Zambezi Valley.

Wildlife

Wildlife & Wilderness of Botswana

48251
14 Days from USD 4,079
USD 3,779

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

A Safari through Botswana's best wildlife reserves and Victoria Falls

Wildlife

Kenya & Tanzania Adventure

Building the eBioAtlas
14 Days from USD 5,399
USD 5,049

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Excellent game viewing, scenery and Zanzibar

Wildlife

Discover Costa Rica

Costa Rica Sloth
15 Days from USD 4,649
USD 4,349

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Experience the Costa Rican rainforest, mountains and coast

Wildlife

Cycle Indochina & Angkor

Angkor Wat
14 Days from USD 3,379
USD 3,249

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Cycle through 3 countries from Thailand to Vietnam

Cycling

Vietnam Adventure

Incense giving, Vietnam
14 Days from USD 2,049
USD 1,899

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

A comprehensive north to south exploration

Culture

Discover Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka
15 Days from USD 2,749
USD 2,349

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Spend two weeks exploring the delights of this diverse island

Culture

Dolomites, Lake Garda & Venice Ride

Lake Garda, Italy
8 Days from USD 2,799

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Spectacular riding from the stunning Dolomites to Venice

Cycling

Finnish Wilderness Week

Riisitunturi National Park, Finland (photo by Erkki Ollila)
8 Days from USD 2,879

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Mixed activity week in a remote part of Finland

Winter

Walking the Prosecco Hills

Building the eBioAtlas
8 Days from USD 2,179

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Unveil one of the world’s best wine regions.

Walking & Trekking

Classic Dolomites – Premium Adventure

Premium Adventures

Building the eBioAtlas
8 Days from USD 2,449
USD 2,049

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Superb walking in Italy's most spectacular mountain range

Walking & Trekking

Discover the Baltics

Old castle in sunset time. Trakai, Lithuania, Eastern Europe.
12 Days from USD 2,379

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Visit three countries in twelve days, through Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Culture

Hidden Treasures of Jordan

Petra's Treasury
12 Days from USD 2,799
USD 2,549

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Explore Jordan's archaeological highlights and crusader castles

Culture

Western Explorer

Autumn in Yosemite Valley, USA
12 Days from USD 6,999

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

Visit five breathtaking National Parks in the USA

Walking & Trekking

Portugal: Walking & Wine – Premium Adventure

Premium Adventures

Building the eBioAtlas
8 Days from USD 3,049

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

A deep-dive into Portugal's premier wine region, the Douro Valley.

Walking & Trekking

Highlights of Georgia & Armenia

Georgia
14 Days from USD 3,649

Guided Group (Incl. Taxes)

A fascinating cultural journey through the heart of the Caucasus

Culture