The ecology of environmental DNA and implications for conservation genetics

By M. Barnes, C. Turner. Conservation Genetics, 2016

986 citations recorded by the source corpus.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) refers to the genetic material that can be extracted from bulk environmental samples such as soil, water, and even air. The rapidly expanding study of eDNA has generated unprecedented ability to detect species and conduct genetic analyses for conservation, management, and research, particularly in scenarios where collection of whole organisms is impractical or impossible. While the number of studies demonstrating successful eDNA detection has increased rapidly in recent years, less research has explored the “ecology” of eDNA—myriad interactions between extraorganismal genetic material and its environment—and its influence on eDNA detection, quantification, analysis, and application to conservation and research. Here, we outline a framework for understanding the ecology of eDNA, including the origin, state, transport, and fate of extraorganismal genetic material. Using this framework, we review and synthesize the findings of eDNA studies from diverse environments, taxa, and fields of study to highlight important concepts and knowledge gaps in eDNA study and application. Additionally, we identify frontiers of conservation-focused eDNA application where we see the most potential for growth, including the use of eDNA for estimating population size, population genetic and genomic analyses via eDNA, inclusion of other indicator biomolecules such as environmental RNA or proteins, automated sample collection and analysis, and consideration of an expanded array of creative environmental samples. We discuss how a more complete understanding of the ecology of eDNA is integral to advancing these frontiers and maximizing the potential of future eDNA applications in conservation and research.

Subfields: Ecology, Molecular Biology

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/57ab6a98001fa60b3684c896f9a104c0484c848a

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Citations in the corpus

Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass: A review of approaches and future considerations for resource surveys (2021, background): “…biotic and abiotic factors, including salinity, water temperature, sunlight, pH, microbial activity, and enzymatic digestion (Andruszkiewicz et al., 2017; Barnes & Turner, 2016; Collins et al., 2018; Dejean et al., 2012; Hansen et al., 2018; Sassoubre et al., 2016; Schmelzle & Kinziger, 2016).”
Environmental DNA monitoring and management of invasive fish: comparison of eDNA and fyke netting (2017, background): “Recent publications have suggested that temporal factors such as breeding and migratory seasons should also be considered in eDNA surveys to increase the likelihood of detection (Barnes and Turner 2016; Thomsen and Willerslev 2015).”
MiFish metabarcoding: a high-throughput approach for simultaneous detection of multiple fish species from environmental DNA and other samples (2020, background): “Although we have skipped some of more general topics, such as the “ecology” of eDNA (from production and persistence/degradation, to transport of eDNA) (Barnes and Turner 2016; Seymour et al. 2018; Harrison et al. 2019; Beng and Corlett 2020), it is essential to consider the effects of environmental”
Environmental DNA (eDNA) detects the invasive crayfishes Orconectes rusticus and Pacifastacus leniusculus in large lakes of North America (2017, background): “…or better reflecting relative abundance for these species, might also be achieved from more mechanistic laboratory studies that can address habitat or environmental factors affecting eDNA persistence times or transport distances (Barnes & Turner, 2016; Goldberg et al., 2016; Shogren et al., 2016).”