Department of Primary Industries (NSW), Lord Howe Island Marine Park News, The Lord Howe Island Signal
On 14th of February 2023, 20 students aged 8 to 11 years old from Lord Howe Island became marine scientists for the day. In doing so, they joined UNESCO’s global environmental DNA research initiative that is being rolled out across 25 marine World Heritage sites to better understand ocean biodiversity and the impacts of climate change. The day commenced with classroom activities, where students discussed Lord Howe’s globally outstanding biodiversity and threats and learnt about the basic principles of extracting genetic material from the ocean, using innovative environmental DNA (or eDNA) sampling techniques.
Later that day, 3 groups of students applied their knowledge at sea, filtering the DNA from water samples taken at Lagoon Beach in the World Heritage area. The students used eDNA equipment and followed citizen science sampling protocols provided by UNESCO. The eDNA sampling expedition was overseen by staff from the Lord Howe Island Marine Park and school teachers. Additional water samples were collected from both inshore and pelagic sites near established long-term monitoring locations across the World Heritage area to compliment the sampling completed by the students.
It is inspiring to see how the UNESCO eDNA initiative allows young students to assist in a simple but meaningful way with establishing important baselines that can help identify changes in reef biodiversity and health in the future.
This article appeared in The Lord Howe Island Signal, 31 May 2023.
