In response to a rapidly changing climate, effective conservation necessitates frequent and reliable monitoring of at-risk organisms and habitats. The limitations of traditional coral reef monitoring (resource-intensive visual assessments), underscores the imperative to develop streamlined approaches for quicker, more extensive monitoring to detect early signs of decline and recovery.
The analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) shows promise in revolutionizing biological monitoring. However, before integrating eDNA into routine monitoring in Hawai‘i, understanding natural variability and reliability in assessing coral reef communities is crucial. First, we conduct a thorough examination of eDNA's natural variability over time with aims to determine optimal sampling locations, timing, and frequency for reliable information on reef health and biodiversity. Second, by characterizing understudied internal cryptobiome reef communities using eDNA analysis, we can better estimate the total biodiversity on Hawaiian coral reefs. These foundational results will offer essential information for planning, implementing, and interpreting eDNA surveys of coral reefs, providing enhanced analytical support to local agencies monitoring the impacts of climate change, overfishing, and management initiatives. |
Rapid assessment of coral cover from environmental DNA in Hawai'iHumans are capable of having the greatest environmental impact, whether positive or negative, and with corals reefs in a worldwide decline, studies like ours provide the data we need to make informed decisions about coral reef conservation. Percent coral cover is largely indicative of the overall "health" of a reef, with areas of high coral cover supporting more diverse communities. Through the use of molecular technologies we can better understand the relationships among the ecology and diversity of marine life here in Hawai'i. Molecular detection of environmental DNA is the scientific equivalent of taking a high-resolution snapshot of our coral reef ecosystem, allowing rapid quantification of coral cover from eDNA in collected bottles of seawater.
In the news. |