Northern Australia harbours great biodiversity that is threatened by multiple stressors, among them, invasive species and habitat loss and fragmentation. Given that this region is vast, remote and sparsely populated, monitoring species using traditional methods is time-consuming, requires expertise and some methods cannot be deployed in remote and difficult to access areas. Environmental DNA has emerged as a detection tool that could increase our monitoring capability by orders of magnitude given that it does not rely on sighting or catching the target species, but simply collecting their genetic material left behind in the environment. It can rapidly increase data on the occurrence of aquatic fauna to more effectively manage their populations and to further our understanding of key drivers of population vulnerability. More importantly, it allows for engagement with non-eDNA-specialists, such as Indigenous Ranger and Traditional Owner groups. In this talk, I will show how eDNA methods can assist with surveillance programs via coordination with Indigenous Ranger programs. I will first talk about the importance of user-friendly field protocols that allow for sample collection under minimal training. I will then give examples of eDNA sampling carried out by Indigenous Ranger groups across Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia to detect invasive and threatened species.
Biography:
Cecilia is a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWATER), James Cook University. Cecilia is trailing field methods and conducting laboratory experiments testing the persistence and detectability of eDNA of an array of species of conservation and management significance, in freshwater, marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Her work focuses on providing stakeholders with more “tools in the box” for detection and management of invasive and endangered species. Cecilia is leading multiple eDNA projects in northern Australia and her main interest is to develop user-friendly methods for non-specialist engagement. She has built links with Indigenous Ranger groups across northern Australia, natural resource management authorities and industry, for eDNA sample collection in remote, rural areas.