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Estimating fish population abundance by integrating quantitative data on environmental DNA and hydrodynamic modelling
Keiichi Fukaya1,2, Hiroaki Murakami3, Seokjin Yoon4
1National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan.
Molecular Ecology
|July 2, 2020
Summary
Environmental DNA (eDNA) concentration can now estimate aquatic species abundance. This new framework integrates eDNA
Area of Science:
- Aquatic ecology
- Molecular ecology
- Environmental monitoring
Background:
- Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is a cost-effective method for detecting species occurrence.
- Quantifying species abundance from eDNA concentration is challenging due to complex distribution processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a general framework for estimating aquatic population abundance using spatially replicated eDNA measurements.
- To integrate eDNA production, transport, and degradation processes into abundance estimation models.
Main Methods:
- Utilized numerical hydrodynamic models to simulate eDNA concentration distribution.
- Employed Bayesian inference of a generalized linear model for abundance estimation.
- Applied the framework to a Japanese jack mackerel population in Maizuru Bay.
Main Results:
- The proposed eDNA framework provided population abundance estimates comparable to traditional echo sounder methods.
- Successfully identified an exogenous eDNA source (fish market), highlighting the need to account for such influences.
Conclusions:
- eDNA can reliably reflect aquatic macroorganism population abundance when its ecological dynamics are properly considered.
- This framework enables quantitative abundance estimation from eDNA concentration measurements.
