eDNA rainwash sampling: a novel approach for biodiversity monitoring in forest ecosystems

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a minimally invasive, low-cost, and comprehensive approach for assessing and monitoring biodiversity and its loss in forest ecosystems. • A pilot study on rainwash sampling at the Britz Intensive Forest Monitoring Station resulted in high taxonomic resolution and shows potential for closing the knowledge gap on the composition of invertebrate and fungi communities associated with tree crowns. • We propose a more comprehensive study with the aim to develop a standardized protocol for eDNA analyses in traditional forest biodiversity monitoring.