Abstract
The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) for studying the ecology and variability of life in the sea is reviewed here in the context of US interagency Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) projects. Much of the information in this paper comes from samples collected within US National Marine Sanctuaries. The field of eDNA is relatively new but growing rapidly, and it has the potential to disrupt current paradigms developed on the basis of existing measurement methods. After a general review of the field, we provide specific examples of the type of information that eDNA provides regarding the changing distribution of life in the sea over space (horizontally and vertically) and time. We conclude that eDNA analyses yield results that are similar to those collected using traditional observation methods, are complementary to them, and because of the breadth of information provided, have the potential to improve conservation and management practices. Moreover, through technology development and standardization of methods, eDNA offers a means to scale biological observations globally to a level similar to those currently made for ocean physics and biogeochemistry. This scaling can ultimately result in a far better understanding of global marine biodiversity and contribute to better management and sustainable use of the world ocean. Improved information management systems that track methods and associated metadata, together with international coordination, will be needed to realize a global eDNA observation network.
Highlights
New technologies have revolutionized our understanding of Earth processes
We suggest that analysis of environmental DNA from the water column offers a novel perspective that will eventually change paradigms about the structure and dynamics of marine ecosystems
The results presented are derived primarily from projects funded as demonstration studies for the development of an operational Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON)
Summary
New technologies have revolutionized our understanding of Earth processes. Satellite remote sensing is one of the most well-known technological developments that has transformed our ability to collect information about the temporal and spatial dynamics of Earth’s ecosystems. Samples clustered seasonally within these groups, with samples taken during summer or winter months segregating as highlighted in Figure 7b (COI) and 7d (18S) Across this large data set, patterns of diversity in the unique sequences (ASVs) that were assigned to the same species were observed. Within both 18S and COI data sets, Shannon diversity and ASV richness are lowest at the surface, with these samples dominated by a smaller number of ASVs (Figure 9). Extending the analysis of eDNA to samples collected before the start of the project, and comparing them with whale watching records and sea surface temperature data, showed a strong association between anchovies, a favored prey for whales, whale sightings, and warmer waters (Figure 12a). The variability in species and toxicity shows the difficulties in predicting toxic Pseudo-nitzschia outbreaks year over year
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