Analyzing Fish Communities and Low Dissolved Oxygen Levels in Restored Wetlands Using Environmental DNA
Author: LuzMaria Chacon Soto
Faculty Supervisor: Archana Anand
Department: Biology
Climate change-induced sea level rise and coastal erosion pose significant threats to California's coastal populations. To address these challenges and restore vital wetland habitats near San Francisco, the South Bay Restoration Project was initiated. However, concerns persist regarding water quality trends in the Lower South Bay and their impact on aquatic biota, particularly concerning dissolved oxygen concentrations. The proposed research aims to investigate the impact of low dissolved oxygen on resident fish communities in the Lower South Bay using Environmental DNA (eDNA), a non-invasive alternative to the traditional, more intrusive and biased methods like trawling. Traditional methods often miss species, are resource-intensive, and provide limited snapshots of biodiversity, making eDNA a superior choice for accurate, comprehensive environmental monitoring. We will collect monthly water samples from 12 sites across the Lower South Bay over the duration of a year to identify fish species, compare eDNA’s effectiveness against conventional methods, and examine the relationship between oxygen levels and fish community composition. To this end, we will use DNA extraction, amplification, sequencing and bioinformatics. This streamlined approach promises valuable insights for wetland management and serves as a blueprint for establishing sustainable monitoring plans in wetland ecosystems contributing to broader climate change mitigation efforts.