Testing multiple substrates for terrestrial biodiversity monitoring using environmental DNA metabarcoding

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Genomics
• Conservation Biology

Background:

• Visual biological surveys are costly and time-consuming.
• DNA metabarcoding offers a powerful alternative for assessing biodiversity.
• Optimal sample substrate selection for terrestrial DNA metabarcoding remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate diverse substrates for DNA metabarcoding.
• To identify detectable organisms and overlaps across substrates.
• To inform effective terrestrial biomonitoring strategies.

Main Methods:

• Collected 200 samples across Western Australia (Pilbara and Swan Coastal Plain).
• Tested soil, scat, plant material, and bulk arthropod samples.
• Utilized next-generation sequencing for community composition analysis.

Main Results:

• Scat samples yielded the highest diversity (131 families).
• Plant, pitfall, and vane trap samples detected significant invertebrate and plant DNA.
• Soil samples showed limited DNA, particularly in arid regions.

Conclusions:

• Substrate choice significantly impacts DNA metabarcoding results.
• No single substrate captures all terrestrial biota.
• Multiple substrates are essential for comprehensive biodiversity assessments.