Del Rio Springs State Park Restoration - eDNA
Format Preference
Poster
Abstract
Purchased by the Trust for Public Land and Arizona State Parks and Trails in March 2024, Del Rio Springs is in the process of being transformed into a state park for the purpose of conservation and public use. Due to limited scientific understanding of the area's biodiversity, soil, and water quality, conducting ecological surveys of Del Rio Springs will support the transition to a state park and help maintain the land's diversity and ecological integrity.
Preliminary surveys identified 31 invasive species, including Poison Hemlock, Utah Juniper, and Broom Snakeweed, as well as 41 non-invasive species, including Horsetail Milkweed, Deergrass, and Gray Globemallow. The detrimental effects of invasive flora species include siphoning nutrients from native species, contributing to soil erosion, and decreasing vegetation diversity. Water analysis using a Pro DSS indicated no immediate environmental concerns, with an average dissolved oxygen level of 12.65 mg/L and an average pH of 6.76.
Next steps include environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and traditional surveys to detect fish and wildlife, providing insight into potential environmental concerns. Two water samples were taken from each of the four collection sites over the course of a year and then aseptically filtered. DNA will be extracted using the Omega Bio-Tek E.Z.D.N.A. Water DNA Kit, amplified for 16S rRNA through PCR, separated with gel electrophoresis, and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq next-generation sequencer to identify all vertebrate species present in the water samples.
Del Rio Springs State Park Restoration - eDNA
Purchased by the Trust for Public Land and Arizona State Parks and Trails in March 2024, Del Rio Springs is in the process of being transformed into a state park for the purpose of conservation and public use. Due to limited scientific understanding of the area's biodiversity, soil, and water quality, conducting ecological surveys of Del Rio Springs will support the transition to a state park and help maintain the land's diversity and ecological integrity.
Preliminary surveys identified 31 invasive species, including Poison Hemlock, Utah Juniper, and Broom Snakeweed, as well as 41 non-invasive species, including Horsetail Milkweed, Deergrass, and Gray Globemallow. The detrimental effects of invasive flora species include siphoning nutrients from native species, contributing to soil erosion, and decreasing vegetation diversity. Water analysis using a Pro DSS indicated no immediate environmental concerns, with an average dissolved oxygen level of 12.65 mg/L and an average pH of 6.76.
Next steps include environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and traditional surveys to detect fish and wildlife, providing insight into potential environmental concerns. Two water samples were taken from each of the four collection sites over the course of a year and then aseptically filtered. DNA will be extracted using the Omega Bio-Tek E.Z.D.N.A. Water DNA Kit, amplified for 16S rRNA through PCR, separated with gel electrophoresis, and sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq next-generation sequencer to identify all vertebrate species present in the water samples.