PUT YOUR STRANDS IN THE AIR: AN EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DNA AS A TOOL IN BIODIVERSITY MONITORING
Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
Gilchrist, Sandra
Area of Concentration
Biology
Abstract
In this present time, most scientists agree that we are living through the sixth mass extinction and that this event is partly due to humans’ effect on the environment (Abatzoglou and Williams, 2016; Payne et al., 2016). Maintaining biodiversity is a key component in mitigating the many effects of anthropogenic climate change. Biodiversity must first be evaluated to determine if and what conservation steps should be taken. Monitoring biodiversity across the various scale of life is an undertaking and traditional monitoring practices are not always sufficient. The use of environmental DNA and subsequent analysis may aid in this endeavor. Environmental DNA, or eDNA, is extraorganismal and collected from soil, water, and air and can be multiplied with PCR. Collected DNA can be digitally compared with the DNA of known species to establish identity through a process called metabarcoding. The use of eDNA as a conservation tool is promising for monitoring biodiversity as it is inexpensive, fast, and noninvasive. This thesis aims to discuss the benefits and failings of eDNA as a conservation tool, as well as discuss practical applications and the direction future research may take this technology.
Recommended Citation
Wilhide, Sarah, "PUT YOUR STRANDS IN THE AIR: AN EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL DNA AS A TOOL IN BIODIVERSITY MONITORING" (2020). Theses & ETDs. 6014.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/6014