Journal article 92 views 16 downloads
Challenges to Implementing Environmental-DNA Monitoring in Namibia
,
Ifan B. Jâms,
Roser Casas-Mulet,
Josefina Hamutoko,
Angela Marchbank,
Selma Lendelvo,
Erold Naomab,
Benjamin Mapani,
Simon Creer,
Heike Wanke,
Isabelle Durance,
Peter Kille
Frontiers in Environmental Science, Volume: 9
Swansea University Author:
Iain Perry
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Copyright © 2022 Perry, Jâms, Casas-Mulet, Hamutoko, Marchbank, Lendelvo, Naomab, Mapani, Creer, Wanke, Durance and Kille. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY).
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DOI (Published version): 10.3389/fenvs.2021.773991
Abstract
By identifying fragments of DNA in the environment, eDNA approaches present apromising tool for monitoring biodiversity in a cost-effective way. This is particularlypertinent for countries where traditional morphological monitoring has been sparse.The first step to realising the potential of eDNA is...
| Published in: | Frontiers in Environmental Science |
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| ISSN: | 2296-665X |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media SA
2022
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| Online Access: |
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| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa65668 |
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| Abstract: |
By identifying fragments of DNA in the environment, eDNA approaches present apromising tool for monitoring biodiversity in a cost-effective way. This is particularlypertinent for countries where traditional morphological monitoring has been sparse.The first step to realising the potential of eDNA is to develop methodologies that areadapted to local conditions. Here, we test field and laboratory eDNA protocols (aqueousand sediment samples) in a range of semi-arid ecosystems in Namibia. We successfullygathered eDNA data on a broad suite of organisms at multiple trophic levels (includingalgae, invertebrates and bacteria) but identified two key challenges to the implementationof eDNA methods in the region: 1) high turbidity requires a tailored sampling technique and2) identification of taxa by eDNA methods is currently constrained by a lack of referencedata. We hope this work will guide the deployment of eDNA biomonitoring in the aridecosystems of Namibia and neighbouring countries. |
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| Keywords: |
eDNA, Namibia, freshwater, biomonitoring, water security |
| College: |
Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences |
| Funders: |
This work was funded by the Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) project HEFCW GCRF Small Project: Freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity and pathogens inNamibia awarded to Durance, Kille and Mapani. The data collected in December 2017 was done via an EPSRC Global Challenges Research Fund Institutional Sponsorship awarded to Casas-Mulet. |