Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring in freshwater ponds

Harper, Lynsey R., Buxton, Andrew S., Rees, Helen C., Bruce, Kat, Brys, Rein, Halfmaerten, David, Read, Daniel S., Watson, Hayley V., Sayer, Carl D., Jones, Eleanor P., and others. (2019) Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring in freshwater ponds. Hydrobiologia, 826 (1). pp. 25-41. ISSN 0018-8158. (doi:10.1007/s10750-018-3750-5) (KAR id:69519)

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-018-3750-5

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a rapid, non-invasive, cost-efficient biodiversity monitoring tool with enormous potential to inform aquatic conservation and management. Development is ongoing, with strong commercial interest, and new uses are continually being discovered. General applications of eDNA and guidelines for best practice in freshwater systems have been established, but habitat-specific assessments are lacking. Ponds are highly diverse, yet understudied systems that could benefit from eDNA monitoring. However, eDNA applications in ponds and methodological constraints specific to these environments remain unaddressed. Following a stakeholder workshop in 2017, researchers combined knowledge and expertise to review these applications and challenges that must be addressed for the future and consistency of eDNA monitoring in ponds. The greatest challenges for pond eDNA surveys are representative sampling, eDNA capture, and potential PCR inhibition. We provide recommendations for sampling, eDNA capture, inhibition testing, and laboratory practice, which should aid new and ongoing eDNA projects in ponds. If implemented, these recommendations will contribute towards an eventual broad standardisation of eDNA research and practice, with room to tailor workflows for optimal analysis and different applications. Such standardisation will provide more robust, comparable, and ecologically meaningful data to enable effective conservation and management of pond biodiversity.

Item Type:	Article
DOI/Identification number:	10.1007/s10750-018-3750-5
Uncontrolled keywords:	Aquatic, Biodiversity, Lentic, Metabarcoding, Quantitative PCR, Survey
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GN Anthropology
Divisions:	Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Anthropology and Conservation > DICE (Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology)
Depositing User:	Richard Griffiths
Date Deposited:	11 Oct 2018 10:40 UTC
Last Modified:	05 Nov 2024 12:31 UTC
Resource URI:	https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/69519 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Buxton, Andrew S..

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0555-2491
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

Griffiths, Richard A..

Creator's ORCID:	https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5533-1013
CReDIT Contributor Roles:

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