scholarly journals eDNA metabarcoding as a biomonitoring tool for marine protected areas

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Gold ◽  
Joshua Sprague ◽  
David J. Kushner ◽  
Erick Zerecero ◽  
Paul H. Barber

AbstractMonitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n=4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 30 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50m) and site (~1000m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Interestingly, eDNA results recorded higher species richness outside the MPA while visual surveys observed the opposite pattern. This result is likely caused by swamping effects of high fish abundance in MPAs that reduce detection probabilities of pelagic and intertidal taxa. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. e0238557
Author(s):  
Zachary Gold ◽  
Joshua Sprague ◽  
David J. Kushner ◽  
Erick Zerecero Marin ◽  
Paul H. Barber

Monitoring of marine protected areas (MPAs) is critical for marine ecosystem management, yet current protocols rely on SCUBA-based visual surveys that are costly and time consuming, limiting their scope and effectiveness. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a promising alternative for marine ecosystem monitoring, but more direct comparisons to visual surveys are needed to understand the strengths and limitations of each approach. This study compares fish communities inside and outside the Scorpion State Marine Reserve off Santa Cruz Island, CA using eDNA metabarcoding and underwater visual census surveys. Results from eDNA captured 76% (19/25) of fish species and 95% (19/20) of fish genera observed during pairwise underwater visual census. Species missed by eDNA were due to the inability of MiFish 12S barcodes to differentiate species of rockfishes (Sebastes, n = 4) or low site occupancy rates of crevice-dwelling Lythrypnus gobies. However, eDNA detected an additional 23 fish species not recorded in paired visual surveys, but previously reported from prior visual surveys, highlighting the sensitivity of eDNA. Significant variation in eDNA signatures by location (50 m) and site (~1000 m) demonstrates the sensitivity of eDNA to address key questions such as community composition inside and outside MPAs. Results demonstrate the utility of eDNA metabarcoding for monitoring marine ecosystems, providing an important complementary tool to visual methods.


DEPIK ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Riany Hastuty ◽  
Yonvitner . ◽  
Luky Adrianto

Abstract. The study was conducted onApril to October 2013 in marine protected areas of Weh Island. The samplings were done at10 siteswhere 6 sitesare situatedinside of conservation areas, while 4 sites are situated outside of conservation areas. The purpose ofthis study was to evaluate coral covers andreef fish composition. Point intersept transect(PIT), underwater visual census (UVC) and fish catches were used to examine coral covers, abudance and biomass of reef fish. The results showed that average of coral covers, abudance and biomass of target fishes inside conservation were 54%, 1,662 ind/ha and 408.78 kh/ha, respectively, while than outside conservation was 33.05%, 1,058 ind/ha and 307.77 kg/ha, respectively. Total of reef fish species and the catch were increased from previous years, for example there are 60 species in 2010 and it was increased to 83 species in 2013. In addition the fishermen catches were increased slightly from 3.03 kg/trip in 2008 to 3.6 kg/trip in 2013. It is concluded that the coral condition and reef fish composition in the conservation are much better compared to outside of conservation areas.Keywords : Marine protect area; reef fish; Weh Island Abstrak. Penelitian ini dilakukan pada April sampai Oktober 2013 di Kawasan Konservasi Perairan Pesisir Timur Pulau Weh yang terdiri dari 10 stasiun dimana 6 stasiun berada didalam kawasan konservasi dan 4 stasiun diluar kawasan konservasi.Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai persentase tutupan karang dan komposisi ikan karang. Sampling menggunakan transek titik dan underwater visual sensus (UVC) dan hasil tangkapan.Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa rata-rata kondisi tutupan karang, kelimpahan dan biomassa ikan target dikawasan konservasi yaitu 54%, 1.662 ind/ha dan 408,78 kg/ha, secara berurutan, sedangkan diluar kawasan konservasi adalah 33,05%, 1.058 ind/ha dan 307,77 kg/ha biomassa ikan target.Jumlah jenis ikan karang di kawasan konservasi meningkat, yaitu 60 jenis tahun 2010 menjadi 83 jenis pada tahun 2013 dan rata-rata hasil tangkapan tahun 2008 yaitu 3,03 kg/trip dan tahun 2013 yaitu 3,6 kg/trip. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa kondisi karang dan komposisi jenis dan ukuran ikan lebih baik di dalam kawasan konservasi berbanding diluar kawasan.Kata kunci: Kawasan Konservasi; Ikan karang; Pulau Weh


2019 ◽  
Vol 520 ◽  
pp. 151205
Author(s):  
Xavier Grane-Feliu ◽  
Scott Bennett ◽  
Bernat Hereu ◽  
Eneko Aspillaga ◽  
Julia Santana-Garcon

2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stacy D. Jupiter ◽  
Daniel P. Egli

In 2005, a network of 3 large, district-wide marine protected areas (MPAs) and 17 village-managed closures (tabu) was established in Kubulau District, Fiji. Underwater visual census (UVC) data of fish biomass and benthic cover were collected between 2007 and 2009 and analysed with PERMANOVA and ANOSIM to assess differences between closed and open areas. High reef fish biomass (>1000 kg/ha) within closures, significantly elevated over open areas, was consistently observed from: (1) tabu areas on naturally productive reefs within visual distance from villages; and (2) the large, long-term permanent closure located away from fishing pressure. Factors that may have contributed to low fish biomass within closures include small size of closures; noncompliance with management rules; and disclosure of management success to fishers from villages with high reliance on fisheries products. Future success of the network depends on improving awareness of management rules and ensuring implementation within a broader ecosystem framework.


2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (12) ◽  
pp. 2603-2607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin J Laurel ◽  
Ian R Bradbury

The success of marine protected areas (MPAs) as fisheries management tools in tropical latitudes has generated interest in their applicability and potential elsewhere. Here we suggest that dispersal and gene flow in marine fish populations (a primary biological consideration for marine reserve design) increases with latitude. For example, north temperate fish species at latitudes between 40° and 45° had about three times greater dispersal potential (planktonic larval duration (PLD), n = 96 species) and genetic homogeneity (FST, n = 100 species) than fish species near equatorial regions. Using the PLD and FST relationships, dispersal increases at a rate of ~8% per degree of latitude north or south of the equator. Therefore tropical MPAs should not serve as direct scalar templates in other regions, but rather should be used as a basis against which higher-latitude MPAs should be scaled. However, a review of 429 existing MPAs indicates that no such changes in reserve size have been implemented with respect to latitude. Fisheries managers must be prepared and willing to implement MPAs at large scales in high latitudes, either as single reserves or in a network, or else we lose the legitimacy of a new and promising management tool for conserving marine biodiversity in cold ocean regions.


Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2664
Author(s):  
J. Carlos Molina-Molina ◽  
Marouane Salhaoui ◽  
Antonio Guerrero-González ◽  
Mounir Arioua

The world’s oceans are one of the most valuable sources of biodiversity and resources on the planet, although there are areas where the marine ecosystem is threatened by human activities. Marine protected areas (MPAs) are distinctive spaces protected by law due to their unique characteristics, such as being the habitat of endangered marine species. Even with this protection, there are still illegal activities such as poaching or anchoring that threaten the survival of different marine species. In this context, we propose an autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) model system for the surveillance of marine areas by detecting and recognizing vessels through artificial intelligence (AI)-based image recognition services, in search of those carrying out illegal activities. Cloud and edge AI computing technologies were used for computer vision. These technologies have proven to be accurate and reliable in detecting shapes and objects for which they have been trained. Azure edge and cloud vision services offer the best option in terms of accuracy for this task. Due to the lack of 4G and 5G coverage in offshore marine environments, it is necessary to use radio links with a coastal base station to ensure communications, which may result in a high response time due to the high latency involved. The analysis of on-board images may not be sufficiently accurate; therefore, we proposed a smart algorithm for autonomy optimization by selecting the proper AI technology according to the current scenario (SAAO) capable of selecting the best AI source for the current scenario in real time, according to the required recognition accuracy or low latency. The SAAO optimizes the execution, efficiency, risk reduction, and results of each stage of the surveillance mission, taking appropriate decisions by selecting either cloud or edge vision models without human intervention.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda K. Pettersen ◽  
Ezequiel M. Marzinelli ◽  
Peter Steinberg ◽  
Melinda A. Coleman

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 92
Author(s):  
Jacqline Laikun ◽  
Ari B Rondonuwu ◽  
Unstain N.W.J. Rembet

The coral reefs are a sundry of marine life. Which one is reef fish in family Chaetodontidae. This fish is  indicator of the coral reef condition. The aim from the research is : discover of spatial distribution of the reef fish family Chaetodontidae and find out of the intercourse of reef fish family Chaetodontidae with the coral reef presence based on growth of coral form. The research was do in the coral reef at Marine Protected Areas in Bahoi Village District of West Likupang North Minahasa Regency, on Tuesday, December 23rd, 2014. The research is using to do the surveying method. The data is collecting distribution of the fish Chaetodontidae (amount from species and individuals to using by technic visual census). The total of reef fish family Chaetodontidae those found in Marina Protected Areas in Bahoi Village is about 20 species, with total of the individuals at a depth of 3 meters and 10 meters is (56,66 and 57,33 individuals/150m2). Keywords : Coral reefs, Chaetodontidae, Bahoi   ABSTRAK Terumbu karang merupakan tempat berbagai macam biota laut. Salah satu Ikan karang adalah ikan famili Chaetodontidae. Ikan ini merupakan ikan indikator terumbu karang. Tujuan dari penelitian ini : mengetahui kelimpahan dari ikan karang famili Chaetodontidae. Penelitian ini dilakukan di Daerah Perlindungan Laut Desa Bahoi Kecamatan Likupang Barat Kabupaten Minahasa Utara, pada hari selasa, tanggal 23 Desember 2014. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode survey. Data yang dikumpulkan adalah kelimpahan ikan Chaetodontidae (Jumlah spesies dan individu dengan menggunakan teknik sensus visual). Jumlah ikan karang famili Chaetodontidae yang di temukan di Daerah Perlindungan Laut Desa Bahoi berjumlah 20 spesies, dengan jumlah individu pada kedalaman 3 meter dan 10 meter berjumlah (56,66 individu/150m2 dan 57,33/150m2 individu). Kata kunci : Terumbu karang, Chaetodontidae, Bahoi 1Bagian dari skripsi 2Mahasiswa Program Studi Manajemen Sumberdaya Perairan FPIK-UNSRAT 3Staf pengajar Fakultas Perikanan dan Ilmu Kelautan Universitas Sam Ratulangi


2004 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 212-218 ◽  
Author(s):  
G.J. EDGAR ◽  
R.H. BUSTAMANTE ◽  
J.-M. FARIÑA ◽  
M. CALVOPIÑA ◽  
C. MARTÍNEZ ◽  
...  

Analysis of ecological baseline data collected for key resource species within the Galapagos Marine Reserve indicates that variation in animal density associated with the location of fully protected zones can be comparable to protected area effects. Even with a high level of interspersion between conservation, tourism and fishing management zones, major differences in densities of economically important species were evident between zone types prior to enforcement of fishing restrictions. Densities of the most valuable fishery resource, sea cucumbers, were three times higher in zones that remained open to fishing compared to ‘no-take’ conservation zones, and densities of sharks were five times higher in tourism zones than fishing or conservation zones. These results highlight bias in the socio-political processes that can accompany selection of marine protected areas, where fishers attempt to minimize perceived impacts on their livelihood by locating large protected zones in resource-poor areas, and tourism operators and sport divers argue for protection of areas containing atypically-interesting features. Bias in the location of fully protected zones can seriously confound ‘control-impact’ field investigations when data prior to prohibitions on fishing are lacking, including meta-analyses, which are dominated by such potentially systematically biased studies.


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