Collection of environmental DNA from stemflow for monitoring arboreal biodiversity: Preliminary validation using lichens.

ABSTRACT: The forest canopy harbors a diverse array of organisms. However, monitoring their biodiversity poses challenges due to limited accessibility and the vast taxonomic diversity. To address these challenges, we present a novel method for capturing arboreal biodiversity by harnessing stemflow as a source of DNA from organisms inhabiting trees. Our method involves encircling the tree trunk with gauze, directing the stemflow along the gauze into a funnel, and collecting it in a plastic bag. We employed dual collection systems to retrieve environmental DNA (eDNA) from the stemflow: the gauze trap, designed to capture macroscopic biological fragments, and the plastic bag trap, which collected the stemflow itself. The trapped fragments and stemflow were separately filtered, and eDNA was subsequently

SUBMITTER: Sakata A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10630645 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature