Mr Harry Coleman1, Dr Ty Matthews1, Dr Craig Sherman1, Mr Zach Clark1, Mr Owen Holland1, Dr Lachlan Farrington2, Mr Gavin Prentice3, Dr Adam Miller1
1Deakin University, Waurn Ponds, Australia, 2Nature Glenelg Trust, Warrnambool, Australia, 3Glenelg Hopkins Catchment Management Authority, Warrnambool, Australia
Wetland habitats support critical environmental, socio-economic and cultural values, but are among the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. Ongoing management remains largely dependent on survey tools that can assist in identifying and prioritising critical habitats for protection or enhancement, quantifying the impacts of hydrological disturbance on biodiversity values, and assessing ecological responses to restoration. Historically, wetland biodiversity surveys have been limited to traditional sampling methods such as electrofishing, dip netting, fyke netting, direct observation, and animal call recordings. However, these methods are often laborious and expensive, which can limit the spatial and temporal extent and replication of sampling efforts. In this presentation I will present the findings from a recent research program exploring the performance of eDNA technologies for characterising wetland biodiversity in south-eastern Australia. Specifically, I contrast the performance of eDNA and traditional survey methods in the detection of fish, bird and amphibian species, and use eDNA surveys to test for assemblage differences across a range of coastal and inland ephemeral wetlands, and habitats of varying hydrological condition. Importantly, this study provides a valuable demonstration of how single time point eDNA surveys and the use of a single genetic assay can provide comprehensive descriptions of wetland wildlife communities. This study highlights the sensitivity, cost-effectiveness and non-invasiveness of wetland eDNA surveys, and their value in supporting future management of these important, yet threatened, freshwater ecosystems.
Biography:
Harry is a PhD candidate conducting genetic research in freshwater systems. Harry completed a Bachelor of Environmental Science (Wildlife and Conservation Biology) and an Honours degree exploring patterns of wetland biodiversity using eDNA Metabarcoding. Specifically, by contrasting the performance of eDNA and traditional survey methods in the detection of fish, bird and amphibian species, and using eDNA surveys to test for assemblage differences across a range of wetland habitats of varying hydrological condition. Currently, Harry is working with traditional owners, industry and local government to focus on filling critical knowledge gaps around the resilience of local Eel fisheries. Specifically, by using eDNA and other genomic techniques to gain insights into the genetic uniqueness, diet and habitat use of the Short-finned Eel (Kooyang) in the Budj Bim cultural landscape. Gaining this information on Short-finned Eels is key for understanding fisheries resilience and informing future management.