Dr Andrew Harford1, Dr Kirsti Abbott2, Dr Sonu Yadav3, Dr Erica Garcia4
1Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Darwin, Australia, 2The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, Australia, 3Biosecurity and Animal Welfare, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade, Darwin, Australia, 4Research Institute of the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Australia
Biography:
Andrew is a Principal Research Scientist and the Team Leader of the Water and Sediment Quality (WASQ) team. The WASQ team uses an integrated creek monitoring program to predict and measure the potential impacts of mine-water discharges. This involves the use of field-based biomonitoring tools to assess the impacts of mine-water discharges from the Ranger mine and the derivation of water/sediment quality standards using laboratory toxicity tests and field-based observations. The WASQ team also develops new standardised biological toxicity tests and leading-edge tools for biomonitoring, such as genomics, videography and AI-driven image analysis. Andrew also co-managed the Ecological Risk Assessment program, which brings together all the knowledge acquired for the Ranger mine. This knowledge is used to assess the risks of individual stressors, and their cumulative risks and identify Key Knowledge Needs. I have also provided my expertise to collaborative projects to help extend the capacity of ecotoxicology and ecological risk assessment for other mines and tropical marine environments.
Abstract:
DNA barcodes are essential to unlocking the full potential of reliable and cost-effective DNA-based monitoring technologies. However, much work is needed to complete DNA barcode libraries and co-ordinated efforts that are based on the greatest needs are likely to provide the best value for money. A group of 50 professionals were brought together at a workshop in Darwin, Australia, to assess the status of DNA-barcode libraries for native fauna that are needed for Australia’s tropical “Top End” environments. The aims of the workshop were to 1) review the status of DNA-barcode libraries, 2) identify future needs and prioritise the collection effort, and 3) semi-quantify the effort required to complete the libraries.
The participants completed pre-workshop surveys, which were used to begin discussions. During the workshop, participants were re-surveyed to facilitate the identification of business needs and prioritise collections. The participants also identified the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of the field in the Northern Territory and were surveyed to complete a SWOT analysis. The participants’ business needs for the technologies were discussed and taxa groups of high interest were identified. The perception of effort for each taxa group was also surveyed. There was strong agreement for collaboration and that current capabilities in the Northern Territory should be supported and leveraged. A clear business case would encourage all sectors to collaboratively invest in DNA-barcode libraries that will address everyone’s business needs. The results of the survey and outcomes of the workshop will be presented, along with the recommendations from participants.