Feasibility Study for Seagrass Beds Monitoring Using Environmental DNA

Abstract

 Environmental DNA (eDNA) is DNA collected directly from environmental samples (soil, sediment, water, air, etc.) rather than from individual organisms. When organisms interact with the environment, DNA is released and accumulates in the environment. Hence, eDNA analysis facilitates efficient detection and monitoring of species in aquatic ecosystems. A monitoring method for seagrass beds using eDNA has been examined. Our study considered three requirements for monitoring seagrass bed using eDNA from a water sampling point. 1) An observation point recording eDNA originating exclusively from a specific area of seagrass bed. To get information about a specific area of the seagrass bed, eDNA from that area should not to be mixed with eDNA originating from other areas. 2) Long periods of continuous eDNA appearance at an observation point to enable water sampling. 3) Large amount of eDNA observed at a water sampling point. This study investigated the feasibility of the three requirements for monitoring seagrass beds using eDNA for 10 simplified bay models. The study used numerical simulation and particle tracking to study the transport and distribution of eDNA.