Identifying the sources of sediment using plant-based eDNA – a proof of principle analysis

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Titel: Identifying the sources of sediment using plant-based eDNA – a proof of principle analysis
Autoren: Amaury Frankl, Bjorn Tytgat, Brice Dupin, Adélaide Naudin, Jean-Luc Maeght, Meindert Commelin, Erik Cammeraat, Jantiene Baartman, Olivier Evrard, Elie Verleyen, Alexia Stokes
Weitere Verfasser: Evrard, Olivier
Quelle: Journal of Soils and Sediments. 25:2762-2776
Verlagsinformationen: Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025.
Publikationsjahr: 2025
Schlagwörter: [SDE] Environmental Sciences, soil erosion, amplicon sequencing, trnL, Panoply, paleoecology, [SDU.ENVI] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Continental interfaces, environment, sediment fingerprinting, [SDV.EE] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Ecology, environment, Soil erosion, SedDNA, Paleoecology, TrnL, sedDNA, [SDV.SA.SDS] Life Sciences [q-bio]/Agricultural sciences/Soil study, Sediment fingerprinting, Amplicon sequencing
Beschreibung: Purpose Understanding sediment origins is crucial for effective catchment management, especially given the strong influence of vegetation on geomorphological processes. This study presents a proof of principle analysis investigating plant-based environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for tracing sediment sources. Two contrasting catchments were selected: a lowland agricultural area with rotating crop cycles and a high mountain environment with semi-natural vegetation. The approach aims to link sediment production to vegetation types to improve land degradation assessment and management strategies.Methods eDNA was analysed using an amplicon sequencing approach targeting the plant species in soil samples from representative land cover types and river sediment from four flood events. Data analysis included quantifying the eDNA concentration, identifying indicator species of plant communities, determining relative abundances and visualizing differences in community composition.Results: The findings confirm that soils carry a distinct eDNA signature reflective of plant communities, even in degraded or eroded conditions. Our results demonstrate that eDNA in eroded sediment from Solanum tuberosum L. (potato) fields in a lowland catchment was correctly identified and that at a high mountain environment, vegetation from heath and forest dominated the eDNA signal in sediment after flood events. However, the study also highlights important limitations associated mostly to sampling.Conclusion: Plant-based eDNA shows promise for identifying sediment sources and providing ecological context. However, its effectiveness depends on factors such as eDNA persistence, source sampling, and sediment connectivity, rendering the method semi-quantitative. Further research is needed to improve consistency and broader applicability
Publikationsart: Article
Dateibeschreibung: application/pdf
Sprache: English
ISSN: 1614-7480
1439-0108
DOI: 10.1007/s11368-025-04107-6
Zugangs-URL: https://cea.hal.science/cea-05212905v1/document
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-025-04107-6
https://cea.hal.science/cea-05212905v1
Rights: Springer Nature TDM
Dokumentencode: edsair.doi.dedup.....1a1be37be1fbb72ce1ddcf40268c2bcb
Datenbank: OpenAIRE
Beschreibung
Abstract:Purpose Understanding sediment origins is crucial for effective catchment management, especially given the strong influence of vegetation on geomorphological processes. This study presents a proof of principle analysis investigating plant-based environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for tracing sediment sources. Two contrasting catchments were selected: a lowland agricultural area with rotating crop cycles and a high mountain environment with semi-natural vegetation. The approach aims to link sediment production to vegetation types to improve land degradation assessment and management strategies.Methods eDNA was analysed using an amplicon sequencing approach targeting the plant species in soil samples from representative land cover types and river sediment from four flood events. Data analysis included quantifying the eDNA concentration, identifying indicator species of plant communities, determining relative abundances and visualizing differences in community composition.Results: The findings confirm that soils carry a distinct eDNA signature reflective of plant communities, even in degraded or eroded conditions. Our results demonstrate that eDNA in eroded sediment from Solanum tuberosum L. (potato) fields in a lowland catchment was correctly identified and that at a high mountain environment, vegetation from heath and forest dominated the eDNA signal in sediment after flood events. However, the study also highlights important limitations associated mostly to sampling.Conclusion: Plant-based eDNA shows promise for identifying sediment sources and providing ecological context. However, its effectiveness depends on factors such as eDNA persistence, source sampling, and sediment connectivity, rendering the method semi-quantitative. Further research is needed to improve consistency and broader applicability
ISSN:16147480
14390108
DOI:10.1007/s11368-025-04107-6