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Advances in the aquatic sciences
RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

Can eDNA be an indicator of tree groundwater use? A perspective

L. Pollitt https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5364-186X A C , K. Korbel A , J. Dabovic B , A. Chariton https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5809-3372 A and G. C. Hose A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A School of Natural Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW 2109, Australia.

B Department of Planning and Environment, Water, Parramatta, NSW 2124, Australia.

C Corresponding author. Email: loren.pollitt@hdr.mq.edu.au

Marine and Freshwater Research - https://doi.org/10.1071/MF21293
Submitted: 11 August 2021  Accepted: 25 February 2022   Published online: 12 April 2022

Journal Compilation © CSIRO 2022 Open Access CC BY-NC-ND

Abstract

A major challenge of managing groundwater-dependent ecosystems is determining when and where plants are accessing and using groundwater. Addressing this knowledge gap is particularly pertinent where remnant stands of old growth trees reside within areas where groundwater is being used at an unsustainable rate. The aim of this paper is to investigate what it means to find tree DNA in the groundwater and provide a perspective on whether the detection of tree DNA in groundwater could provide an indicator of groundwater use by trees. This idea arose from recent DNA-based surveys that routinely detected tree DNA in groundwater samples, which may be unexpected given the general absence of plants in dark, subsurface environments. We discuss the likely sources and fate of tree DNA in groundwater and the knowledge needed to progress the development of tree DNA as a robust indicator. If successful, such an indicator would help managers better understand the water requirements of groundwater-dependent vegetation, meet legislative obligations for monitoring and assessment, and improve the conservation and management of groundwater-dependent ecosystems.

Keywords: environmental DNA, riparian vegetation, phreatophytes, groundwater-dependent ecosystems, GDE.


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