Challenges to Implementing Environmental-DNA Monitoring in Namibia

Frontiers in Environmental Science

Heike Wanke²  Roser Casas-Mulet³  Erold Naomab⁴  Benjamin Mapani⁴  Simon Creer⁵  Selma Lendelvo⁶  Josefina Hamutoko⁶  Ifan B. Jâms⁷  Angela Marchbank⁷  Iain Perry⁷  Isabelle Durance⁷  Peter Kille⁷ 

[1] Aquatic Systems Biology Unit, TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany;Department of Geography and Environmental Management, University of the West of England (UWE Bristol), Bristol, United Kingdom;Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources, Infrastructure Engineering Department, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia;Namibia University of Science and Technology, Windhoek, Namibia;School of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United Kingdom;University of Namibia (UNAM), Windhoek, Namibia;Water Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom;

关键词: eDNA;    Namibia;    freshwater;    biomonitoring;    water security;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fenvs.2021.773991

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

By identifying fragments of DNA in the environment, eDNA approaches present a promising tool for monitoring biodiversity in a cost-effective way. This is particularly pertinent for countries where traditional morphological monitoring has been sparse. The first step to realising the potential of eDNA is to develop methodologies that are adapted to local conditions. Here, we test field and laboratory eDNA protocols (aqueous and sediment samples) in a range of semi-arid ecosystems in Namibia. We successfully gathered eDNA data on a broad suite of organisms at multiple trophic levels (including algae, invertebrates and bacteria) but identified two key challenges to the implementation of eDNA methods in the region: 1) high turbidity requires a tailored sampling technique and 2) identification of taxa by eDNA methods is currently constrained by a lack of reference data. We hope this work will guide the deployment of eDNA biomonitoring in the arid ecosystems of Namibia and neighbouring countries.

【 授权许可】

Unknown