大象传媒

Adam Walton explores research being done in Wales into DNA in the environment, from the hidden genetic signals in ponds and streams, to continued work on the DNA "barcodes" of plants, and the fascinating history of native Welsh sheep breeds.

Adam visits Bangor University's School of Biological Sciences to meet Dr Simon Creer who outlines a new four year project, funded by the Natural Environment Research Council, in collaboration with Cardiff and Birmingham Universities and agencies including Natural Resources Wales. He explains how environmental DNA could be used as a form of "environmental magnifying glass" to study biodiversity.

We hear from reporter Jason Phelps who visits the National Botanic Garden at Llanarthne. He chats to Dr Natasha De Vere who explains the work that is now going on following the completion, in 2012, of the "Barcode Wales" project, which identified all the native flowering plants and conifers in Wales, giving each of them a unique DNA barcode.

We also hear from Dr Sarah Beynon from IBERS at Aberystwyth University, who recently worked on a study of native sheep breeds in Wales, and traced back some breeds to Roman and Viking times.