Environmental DNA surveys can underestimate amphibian occupancy and overestimate detection probability: implications for practice
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Published:2023-07-05
Issue:7
Volume:87
Page:
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ISSN:0022-541X
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Container-title:The Journal of Wildlife Management
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language:en
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Short-container-title:J Wildl Manag
Author:
Randall Lea A.1ORCID,
Goldberg Caren S.2,
Moehenschlager Axel3
Affiliation:
1. Wilder Institute Calgary Zoo 1300 Zoo Road NE Calgary AB T2E 7V6 Canada
2. School of the Environment Washington State University 404 Heald Hall Pullman WA 99164 USA
3. IUCN Species Survival Commission Conservation Translocation Specialist Group 2500 University Drive NW Calgary AB T2N 1N4 Canada
Abstract
AbstractEnvironmental DNA analysis of water samples has recently emerged as a powerful tool for studying the distribution, ecology, and conservation of many amphibian species. Validating efficacy through comparison with established methods of detection is important for any new method. We used multi‐method and single‐method occupancy models to explore the effectiveness of 3 techniques for detecting northern leopard frogs (Lithobates pipiens) and boreal chorus frogs (Pseudacris maculata). We conducted surveys using automated recording units, environmental DNA sampling, and visual encounter surveys in spring (30 Apr–3 Jun) and summer (23 Jul–27 Aug) of 2014 at 68 sites in southern Alberta, Canada. The multi‐method analysis incorporated data from all 3 survey methods while accounting for the lack of independence of detections within a sampling occasion, and we compared this to single‐method analyses to explore occupancy biases associated with each method and differences in method‐specific detection probability. Occupancy and detection probabilities estimated from environmental DNA analyses were biased for northern leopard frogs, overestimating probability of detection and underestimating occupancy. We could not assess bias for boreal chorus frogs because of overdispersion present in in the models. Although no single covariate explained this bias, it was ameliorated (albeit by reducing precision) by including a raw visual count of individuals as a proxy for abundance during the breeding but not the post‐metamorphic season. These results emphasize the need for careful consideration of temporal and spatial aspects of sampling design, conducting pilot studies, and external validation of eDNA‐only occupancy monitoring schemes prior to widespread implementation.
Funder
Cenovus Energy
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Subject
Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics,Nature and Landscape Conservation,Ecology,Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics
Reference70 articles.
1. Alberta Government.2014. Species at risk 2013‐14 recovery action summary: northern leopard frog. . Accessed 21 Nov 2022.
2. Determining Presence of Rare Amphibian Species: Testing and Combining Novel Survey Methods
3. ESTIMATING SITE OCCUPANCY AND SPECIES DETECTION PROBABILITY PARAMETERS FOR TERRESTRIAL SALAMANDERS
4. Britannica.2023. Climate of Alberta. . Accessed 19 May 2023.
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