Environmental DNA reveals that rivers are conveyer belts of biodiversity information

DNA sampled from the environment (eDNA) is a useful way to uncover biodiversity patterns. By combining a conceptual model and empirical data, we test whether eDNA transported in river networks can be used as an integrative way to assess eukaryotic biodiversity for broad spatial scales and across the land-water interface. Using an eDNA metabarcode approach, we detect 296 families of eukaryotes, spanning 19 phyla across the catchment of a river. We show for a subset of these families that eDNA samples overcome spatial autocorrelation biases associated with the classical community assessments by integrating biodiversity information over space. In addition, we demonstrate that many terrestrial species are…

• NS
  National Science Foundation
• UO
  University of Notre Dame
• SN
  Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung

  Award: PP00P3_150698
• ET
  Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich
• EA
  Eidgenössische Anstalt für Wasserversorgung Abwasserreinigung und Gewässerschutz