New insights on lake sediment DNA from the catchment: importance of taphonomic and analytical issues on the record quality.

ABSTRACT: Over the last decade, an increasing number of studies have used lake sediment DNA to trace past landscape changes, agricultural activities or human presence. However, the processes responsible for lake sediment formation and sediment properties might affect DNA records via taphonomic and analytical processes. It is crucial to understand these processes to ensure reliable interpretations for "palaeo" studies. Here, we combined plant and mammal DNA metabarcoding analyses with sedimentological and geochemical analyses from three lake-catchment systems that are characterised by different erosion dynamics. The new insights derived from this approach elucidate and assess issues relating to DNA sources and transfer processes. The sources of eroded materials strongly affect the "catchment-DNA" con

SUBMITTER: Giguet-Covex C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6789010 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature