Download workshop presentations:
Dr Michelle Guzik presentation
Dr Nicole White presentation
Dr Mieke van der Heyde presentation
A workshop was held on Wednesday 28th February 2024 at the Kieran McNamara Conservation Science Centre, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, 17 Dick Perry Avenue, Kensington WA 6151
Resource companies in Western Australia are mandated to assess and monitor groundwater biodiversity as part of the State’s Environmental Protection Agency legislative requirements. However, current groundwater survey techniques rely on traditional taxonomy and DNA sequencing of individual specimens, which are time-consuming, expensive and biased towards common taxa.
The ARC Linkage project: Taking eDNA underground: transforming assessment of subterranean ecosystems has wrapped up. The aim of the project was to develop a novel environmental DNA (eDNA) approach using new assays and a DNA barcode reference library for comprehensive, accurate, cost effective and reproducible monitoring of the Pilbara’s unique groundwater communities. These eDNA approaches will also be applicable to groundwater monitoring across Australia and elsewhere.
WABSI hosted a workshop for researchers to present the project’s research outcomes and provide an opportunity for an extended discussion on integrating these outcomes into bioassessment and monitoring of subterranean fauna in Western Australia.