Mr Jack Rojahn1,2, Mr Robert Fleck3, Dr Alejandro Trujillo-Gonzalez1,2, Dr Elise Furlan1,2,4, Dr Peter Irga3, Dr Dougglas Beattie1,2, Professor Dianne Gleeson1,2
1Centre for Conservation Genetics and Genomics, University Of Canberra, Canberra, Australia, 2Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, University of Canberra , Canberra, Australia, 3Plants and Environmental Quality Research Group, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia, 4Institute for Land, Water and Society, Charles Sturt University, Port Macquarie, Australia
Sustainable urban development is essential to current and future interests. ‘Green’ infrastructure is a growing component of such development and commonly refers to the installation of vegetation on rooftops and walls. Green infrastructure is proposed as being suitable habitat for biodiversity and compatible with policy aims. However, while green roofs can both attract and sustain different types of biodiversity, understanding this biodiversity is complex and rarely evaluated. Considering the significant policy decisions surrounding green infrastructure development, implementing tools that improve understanding and management of biodiversity that inhabits green infrastructure is needed. Furthermore, approaches that can be easily utilised on location via rapid workflows and involving citizen scientists can contribute further to these aims and advance the field of urban ecosystems research.
We aimed to demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding to provide insights into green roof infrastructure by conducting a biodiversity survey in metropolitan Sydney, NSW, Australia. We collected 72 eDNA water samples from both a green roof and an adjacent non-green roof and processed these on site using portable Smith-Root eDNA Citizen Scientist sampling equipment. We then compared the Oxford Nanopore and Illumina sequencing workflows in generating metabarcoding data for macroinvertebrates (using COI primers) and microbial communities (using 16S primers). Results from this study will be presented along with an evaluation of future implementation of eDNA workflows to monitor green infrastructure in the urban sphere. Implications and findings of this study in terms of utility and portable/rapid workflows are also relevant to a wider range of ecosystems.
Biography:
Updated biography to come.
I am a PhD Candidate at the University of Canberra and part of the EcoDNA research group. I have used a variety of eDNA workflows to detect and monitor a range of taxa. I enjoy engaging researchers and conservation managers with eDNA approaches and facilitating uptake of effective eDNA surveillance methods.
My research focusses on implementing environmental DNA approaches to monitor urban biodiversity. I also discuss the utility of such approaches for management of this biodiversity. I am particularly interested in the application of eDNA approaches in urban focused research because many attributes of eDNA research can be applied in these settings.