Challenges to Implementing environmental-DNA monitoring in Namibia
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Date
2022
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Frontiers in Environmental Science
Abstract
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 neighboring countries.
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Keywords
Namibia, Freshwater, Biomonitoring, Water security, eDNA