Development and application of eDNA tools to assess the structure and function of coastal sea ecosystems (MARINe-DNA)

这个NERC的重点主题是将eDNA作为21世纪生态学的新工具。环境DNA （eDNA）被定义为“存在于任何生物体外部的自由DNA”。呼吁的目的是解决目前在应用eDNA方法方面的知识差距，以帮助理解社区生物多样性和生态系统功能的动态。我们将在L4站进行概念验证调查，L4站是英国普利茅斯外英吉利海峡的范例沿海海洋生态系统和自然实验室。从水动力学模型开始，在空间和时间上定义生态系统（自然实验室有多大？），然后该项目将分为三个实验阶段：1)eDNA方法验证（开发工具）；2)为期18个月的临时远洋调查（测试工具）；3)全面的数据分析和模型同化（这些工具是否有效，它们告诉我们什么，它们有用吗？）利用来自4个不同机构（PML， MBA， NOC和uexeter）的广泛专业知识，我们将调查一个空间定义的区域，从河口到沿海，从底生物到远洋；以及建立在NERC国家能力采样制度和生物传感器部署基础上的一系列时间分辨率。电子宏基因和电子宏基因组数据（从个体基因到全基因组）将用于利用在这个重要的沿海地点平行收集的当前物理化学和生物信息来回答交叉科学问题。该项目的结果将为在水生生态系统中使用eDNA和远程eDNA生物传感器提供方法学模板。下游数据将极大地促进我们对eDNA持久性的理解，以及它对生态系统功能模型的潜在影响。这项研究的成果将对该工具在渔业评估、鱼类病原体检测、保护生物学、环境风险管理（如有毒藻类大量繁殖、人类病原体、压载水法规）方面的应用产生更广泛的影响，其更广泛的目标是通过NERC的“管理环境变化”战略支柱支持生物多样性和自然服务。

This NERC highlight topic focuses on the use of eDNA as a new tool for 21st century ecology. Environmental DNA (eDNA) is defined in the call as 'free DNA present outside of any organism'. The aim of the call is to address the current knowledge gaps in the application of eDNA approaches to help understand community biodiversity and dynamics of ecosystem functioning. We will conduct a proof-of-concept investigation at Station L4, an exemplar coastal ocean ecosystem, and natural laboratory, in the English Channel off Plymouth, UK. Starting with a hydrodynamic model to spatially and temporally define the ecosystem (how large is the natural laboratory?) the project will then be split into three experimental phases: 1) eDNA methodological validation (developing the tools);2) 18-month temporal pelagic survey (testing the tools); and3) Comprehensive data analysis and model assimilation (did the tools work, what did they tell us, and are they useful?)Using a wide range of expertise from 4 different institutions (PML, MBA, NOC, and U.Exeter), we will investigate a spatially defined region, from estuarine to coastal, benthic to pelagic; and at a range of temporal resolutions building on NERC National Capability sampling regimes and biosensor deployment. E-metagenetic and e-metagenomic data (individual genes to whole genomes) will be used to answer cross-cutting science questions utilising current physicochemical and biological information collected in parallel at this important coastal site. Results from this project will provide a methodological template for the use of eDNA and remote eDNA biosensors in aquatic ecosystems. Downstream data will significantly advance our understanding of persistence of eDNA, and its potential impact on informing models of ecosystem functioning. Products of this research will have wider implications for the use of this tool on fisheries assessments, fish pathogen detection, conservation biology, environmental risk management (e.g. toxic algae blooms, human pathogens, ballast water regulations), with the wider aim of supporting biodiversity and nature's services through NERC's strategic pillar of "Managing environmental change".