Predicting the fate of eDNA in the environment and implications for studying biodiversity

摘要: Environmental DNA (eDNA) applications are transforming the standard of characterizing aquatic biodiversity via presence, location and abundance collected from environmental samples. As eDNA studies use fragments as a proxy for presence organisms, ecological properties complex dynamic environments which is sampled need to be considered accurate biological interpretation. In this review, we discuss role that differing play on major processes undergoes between organism collection, including shedding, decay transport. We focus mechanistic understanding these highlight how transport models being developed towards more robust predictions fate eDNA. conclude with five recommendations researchers practitioners, advance current best practices, well support future model spatio-temporal persistence.