Distance, flow and PCR inhibition: e DNA dynamics in two headwater streams

Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection has emerged as a powerful tool for monitoring aquatic organisms, but much remains unknown about the dynamics of aquatic eDNA over a range of environmental conditions. DNA concentrations in streams and rivers will depend not only on the equilibrium between DNA entering the water and DNA leaving the system through degradation, but also on downstream transport. To improve understanding of the dynamics of eDNA concentration in lotic systems, we introduced caged trout into two fishless headwater streams and took eDNA samples at evenly spaced downstream intervals. This was repeated 18 times from mid-summer through autumn, over flows ranging from approximately 1-96 L/s. We used…

• UG
  U.S. Geological Survey
• NI
  National Institute of Food and Agriculture

  Award: MAS #14
• UF
  U.S. Forest Service

  Award: 11-JV-11221635-081
• NR
  Northern Research Station