Environmental DNA for wildlife biology and biodiversity monitoring

TY - JOUR

T1 - Environmental DNA for wildlife biology and biodiversity monitoring

AU - Bohmann, Kristine

AU - Evans, Alice

AU - Gilbert, M. Thomas P.

AU - Carvalho, Gary R.

AU - Creer, Simon

AU - Knapp, Michael

AU - Yu, Douglas W.

AU - de Bruyn, Mark

PY - 2014

Y1 - 2014

N2 - Extraction and identification of DNA from an environmental sample has proven noteworthy recently in detecting and monitoring not only common species, but also those that are endangered, invasive, or elusive. Particular attributes of so-called environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis render it a potent tool for elucidating mechanistic insights in ecological and evolutionary processes. Foremost among these is an improved ability to explore ecosystem-level processes, the generation of quantitative indices for analyses of species, community diversity, and dynamics, and novel opportunities through the use of time-serial samples and unprecedented sensitivity for detecting rare or difficult-to-sample taxa. Although technical challenges remain, here we examine the current frontiers of eDNA, outline key aspects requiring improvement, and suggest future developments and innovations for research.

AB - Extraction and identification of DNA from an environmental sample has proven noteworthy recently in detecting and monitoring not only common species, but also those that are endangered, invasive, or elusive. Particular attributes of so-called environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis render it a potent tool for elucidating mechanistic insights in ecological and evolutionary processes. Foremost among these is an improved ability to explore ecosystem-level processes, the generation of quantitative indices for analyses of species, community diversity, and dynamics, and novel opportunities through the use of time-serial samples and unprecedented sensitivity for detecting rare or difficult-to-sample taxa. Although technical challenges remain, here we examine the current frontiers of eDNA, outline key aspects requiring improvement, and suggest future developments and innovations for research.

KW - Biodiversity

KW - Environmental DNA

KW - Metabarcoding

KW - Metagenomics

KW - Monitoring

KW - Second-generation sequencing

KW - Wildlife

U2 - 10.1016/j.tree.2014.04.003

DO - 10.1016/j.tree.2014.04.003

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 24821515

AN - SCOPUS:84901000558

SN - 0169-5347

VL - 29

SP - 358

EP - 367

JO - Trends in Ecology & Evolution

JF - Trends in Ecology & Evolution

IS - 6

ER -