Exploring the potential of extreme citizen science with Danish high school students using environmental DNA for marine monitoring

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 11

Опубликована: Март 5, 2024

Citizen science involves non-professionals assisting with scientific research, contributing data, and conducting experiments under professional guidance. In this paper, we describe the citizen project DNA & life , based at Natural History Museum of Denmark, which actively engages high school students in both fieldwork advanced laboratory analyses by collecting analyzing eDNA samples from marine environments across Denmark. The analysis is performed via species-specific real-time PCR a case study present data gathered 2017-2023 focus on potential detecting use for species monitoring. results include seasonal occurrence Mnemiopsis leidyi national distributions selected particular ecological interest Perca fluviatilis Anguilla anguilla Neogobius melanostomus Alexandrium ostenfeldii . addition to study, new way analysis, as development established project. Local laboratories are created shorten path sampling site facility, creating possibility Danish schools participate version close collaboration academic staff teachers help develop facilities, protocols an extreme co-creation approach, where participants involved higher level work analysis. Allowing perform intricate molecular lab analyzes through approach has demonstrated encouraging outcomes quality terms purpose monitoring conservation.

Язык: Английский

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Field collections and environmental DNA surveys reveal topographic complexity of coral reefs as a predictor of cryptobenthic biodiversity across small spatial scales

Environmental DNA, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 6(3)

Опубликована: Май 1, 2024

Abstract Coral reefs represent some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in world but are currently undergoing large‐scale degradation due to anthropogenic stressors. Such usually begins with coral bleaching, and if stress condition is inflicted for too long may eventually result loss structural complexity (or “flattening”) reef, dramatically changing habitat availability reef‐associated fauna. Despite having been linked important ecosystem functions, cryptobenthic organisms often overlooked ecological monitoring programs, their microhabitat dependencies poorly understood. Here, we combined collection‐based biodiversity techniques five different environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling (Reef water, sediment, crevice slurp gun, bulk sediment) survey fishes annelids on a Maldivian fringing reef. Collectively, 176 fish 140 annelid taxa were detected eDNA across 14 surveyed sites, more than doubling reported region 88 new occurrences. Water filtered near reef structure revealed highest species richness out tested. Furthermore, found correlations between topographic both collection‐ eDNA‐based techniques. This suggests that detection by be site‐specific predictors reveal community differences small spatial scales (tens meters). We also report flattening (going from complex less sites) can cause 50% reduction diversity was highly associated branching corals. In contrast, communities showed no clear predictors, co‐amplification non‐target, non‐annelid have distorted such present. suggest predictive powers gradients dependent targeted taxa.

Язык: Английский

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Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Environmental DNA Metabarcoding and High-Resolution Underwater Optical Imaging for Noninvasive and Innovative Marine Environmental Monitoring

Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 12(10), С. 1729 - 1729

Опубликована: Окт. 1, 2024

To effectively protect the marine environment, it is crucial to establish effective environ mental monitoring platforms. Traditional environmental methods heavily rely on morphological identification and field expertise, with sampling process being disruptive potentially destructive vulnerable environments. In light of emerging biomonitoring needs biodiversity declines, we reviewed urgently needed, ongoing advances in developing effective, noninvasive, innovative systems examine complex environment for better strategic conservation protection, using coral ecosystem as one representative forefront examples protection. This review summarizes current trends efforts transitioning into more standardizable automatable utilizations DNA metabarcoding-based strategies high-resolution underwater optical imaging two promising pillars next generation noninvasive associated applications. The assistance artificial intelligence metabarcoding an empowered, all-rounded platform enhanced capacity discussed a highly potent direction future research exploration. will be cornerstone reference development intelligence-assisted, systems.

Язык: Английский

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Distinct latitudinal community patterns of Arctic marine vertebrates along the East Greenlandic coast detected by environmental DNA

Diversity and Distributions, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 29(2), С. 316 - 334

Опубликована: Дек. 20, 2022

Abstract Aim Greenland is one of the places on Earth where effects climate change are most evident. The retreat sea ice has made East more accessible for longer periods during year. fjords have been notoriously difficult to study due their remoteness, dense conditions and lack infrastructure. As a result, biological monitoring across latitudinal gradients scarce in relies sporadic research cruises trawl data from commercial vessels. We here aim investigate transition fish marine mammal communities South Northeast using environmental DNA (eDNA). Location Greenland. Methods investigated eDNA metabarcoding seawater samples. included both surface mesopelagic samples, collected over approximately 2400 km waterway distance, by sampling Cape Farewell Ella Island August 2021. Results demonstrate clear south northeast, with detected species matching known distributions. Samples southern areas were dominated capelin ( Mallotus villosus ) redfish Sebastes ), whereas northeastern samples polar cod Boreogadus saida sculpins Myoxocephalus ringed seal Pusa hispida ). provide newly generated 12S rRNA barcodes 87 species, bringing public database closer full taxonomic coverage Greenlandic this locus. Main Conclusions Our results that can detect shifts Arctic region, which supplement traditional surveys understanding distributions community compositions vertebrates. Importantly, be feasible approach detecting northward range expansions remote as progresses.

Язык: Английский

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Detection and quantification of two commercial flatfishes (Solea solea and Pleuronectes platessa) in the North Sea using environmental DNA

Environmental DNA, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 6(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 26, 2023

Abstract Sustainable fisheries management requires regular scientific monitoring of fish stocks. When information on certain stocks is limited, environmental DNA (eDNA) holds promise to complement traditional surveys. However, a better understanding how eDNA concentrations relate abundance and biomass needed. Here, quantification two commercially important flatfish species in the North‐East Atlantic, common sole ( Solea solea ) European plaice Pleuronectes platessa ), was assessed. First, species‐specific, probe‐based assays for targeting mitochondrial cytochrome b c oxidase subunit I gene, respectively, were developed (for sole) validated both species). Subsequently, mesocosm experiments revealed significant positive relationship between at three emission time periods (5 min, 1 h, 24 h). Larger shed significantly more (copies L −1 than smaller conspecifics. Finally, obtained from seawater collected during research surveys Belgian part North Sea spring 2020 (i.e., local scale) southwestern autumn 2021 regional scale). compared observed (individuals per km 2 density terms (kg as trawl same station. Local positively correlated with density. The correlation 2020, but not 2021. These results illustrate potential estimate parameters stock assessments flatfishes Sea.

Язык: Английский

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