Fish Forensics Yield Surprising Results – Nautilus | Science Connected

Advancements in Marine Biodiversity Assessment and Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 14

Introduction: Addressing Gaps in Marine Ecosystem Knowledge

Traditional methodologies for surveying marine life, including direct observation and net catches, present significant limitations, resulting in an incomplete understanding of oceanic biodiversity. These gaps are particularly pronounced in remote and deep-sea regions. A recent study utilizing environmental DNA (eDNA) offers a novel approach to create a more comprehensive assessment of life below water, directly supporting the objectives of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Methodology: Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a Monitoring Tool

The research initiative focused on analyzing trace DNA fragments shed by marine organisms into the water. This eDNA provides a non-invasive snapshot of local biodiversity.

Data Collection and Analysis

• Over 900 seawater samples were collected from diverse marine environments, spanning from the tropics to the polar regions at various depths.
• eDNA was filtered from the water samples.
• The isolated genetic material was sequenced and cross-referenced with existing databases to identify the species of origin.

Key Findings: Redefining the Scope of Marine Life

The analysis yielded critical insights that challenge previous assumptions about marine species distribution, providing essential data for conservation frameworks like SDG 14.

• Expanded Geographic Ranges: The study revealed that the known habitats of more than 93 percent of detected species had been significantly underestimated.
• Unexpected Environmental Tolerance: Certain species were discovered in environments previously considered unsuitable. For example, DNA from the crocodile icefish, a species thought to be restricted to Antarctic waters, was found as far north as Patagonia in significantly warmer temperatures.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

These findings have profound implications for global conservation policy, particularly in the context of achieving SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

Contribution to SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Enhancing Conservation and Management (Targets 14.2 & 14.5): A more accurate understanding of species distribution is fundamental to sustainably managing marine ecosystems and designating effective Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). This study provides the granular data needed to ensure conservation efforts are targeted appropriately.
2. Increasing Scientific Knowledge (Target 14.a): The successful application of eDNA technology represents a significant advancement in marine research capacity. It offers a scalable and efficient tool to build the scientific knowledge base required to protect and restore ocean health.

Relevance to SDG 13: Climate Action

• Monitoring Climate Change Impacts: The data establishes a new baseline for tracking how marine species are responding to climate change, including shifts in habitat due to ocean warming.
• Understanding Species Resilience: Discoveries regarding species’ tolerance to wider temperature ranges provide crucial information for modeling the potential impacts of climate change on marine biodiversity.

Conclusion: A New Paradigm for Ocean Stewardship

The application of eDNA analysis provides a more complete and accurate picture of life in our oceans. This enhanced understanding is not merely academic; it is a critical prerequisite for the successful implementation of international conservation commitments, most notably the targets outlined within SDG 14. By closing knowledge gaps, this technology empowers policymakers and conservationists to better protect marine life for future generations.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the primary SDG addressed in the article. The entire text focuses on improving our understanding of marine biodiversity, the distribution of sea creatures, and the implications for ocean conservation. The article discusses new methods for monitoring marine life, which is fundamental to protecting and sustainably managing ocean ecosystems. It explicitly states, “These results have important implications for ocean conservation for a very simple reason: It’s impossible to fully grasp the threats to marine life without first fully grasping the scope of marine life.”

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  This SDG is relevant as the article highlights a collaborative scientific effort. It mentions the research was conducted by “a team of researchers” from the “University of Montpellier, France, and the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique.” This collaboration is essential for advancing scientific knowledge and technology, which is a key aspect of achieving the SDGs.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 14.a: Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology

   The article is centered on this target. It describes a new scientific method using environmental DNA (eDNA) to “get a more complete picture of life in our oceans.” This represents an increase in scientific knowledge and the development of a new research capacity. The eDNA survey method is a clear example of developing and applying marine technology to overcome the limitations of “traditional methods of locating sea creatures.”

2. Target 14.5: By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

   While the target date has passed, the principle remains highly relevant. The article directly supports the need for “the best available scientific information” for conservation. The research findings, which show that the “geographic ranges of more than 93 percent of detected species had previously been underestimated,” provide critical data for identifying and effectively managing marine conservation areas. Understanding the true habitats of species is fundamental to protecting them.

3. Target 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation

   The research described in the article is a product of scientific cooperation between French institutions (“the University of Montpellier, France, and the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique”). This partnership to advance the science of marine biodiversity monitoring is an example of the international cooperation needed to achieve global goals.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicators for Target 14.a

  The article provides several implied indicators for measuring progress in scientific knowledge and research capacity:

  • Development of new monitoring technologies: The use of “environmental DNA, or eDNA” as a novel method to survey marine life is a direct indicator of technological advancement.
  • Scale of research projects: The scope of the study, which “comprised more than 900 samples of water from a variety of depths ranging from the poles to the tropics,” serves as a quantitative indicator of research capacity.
  • Publication of scientific research: The mention of the study being “published in PLOS Biology” is an indicator of new scientific knowledge being generated and disseminated within the scientific community.

• Indicators for Target 14.5

  The article implies an indicator related to the accuracy of biodiversity data used for conservation planning:

  • Improved data on species distribution: The finding that “the geographic ranges of more than 93 percent of detected species had previously been underestimated” is a quantifiable indicator of how the scientific basis for conservation is being improved. This improved understanding is crucial for designating effective marine protected areas.

• Indicators for Target 17.6

  The article points to an indicator for scientific cooperation:

  • Joint scientific research projects: The collaboration between the University of Montpellier and the Center National de la Recherche Scientifique on this specific eDNA study is an indicator of an active scientific partnership.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: nautil.us