Hydrodynamics and aquatic vegetation drive spatial patterns of environmental DNA in ponds

Environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling is a powerful method for detecting aquatic species at low densities. However, eDNA may remain close to the source in lentic systems, decreasing the effectiveness of eDNA surveys. We conducted cage experiments with salamanders and simultaneous detailed hydrologic and wind measurements to investigate the influence of the physical environment on detection patterns of eDNA in ponds. We found much higher detection rates in the surface layer than at depth, and that aquatic vegetation reduced detection of eDNA produced in open water by 80%–94%. Within the surface mixed layer, detection rates were highest close to the source in the direction of water flow in the bottom half of the layer, and detections farthest from the source occurred when velocities in this sublayer were high. Detections were near zero even close to the source when this sublayer was flowing fast and away from the sampling point. The direction of water flow in this lower half of the surface mi..., Water samples were collected using a line and pulley system and temperature loggers, acoustic Doppler current profilers, and a wind meter were used to collect data on thermal stratification, water movement, and wind direction and speed. Environmental DNA samples were collected using 5 micron PES filter membranes and hand vacuum pumps in the field and analyzed in triplicate using a quantitative PCR assay. , , # Data from: Hydrodynamics and aquatic vegetation drive spatial patterns of environmental DNA in ponds

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c59zw3rj9](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.c59zw3rj9)

## Description of the data and file structure

Data from a cage experiment to investigate the relationship between water movement and environmental DNA transport in a pond. 

### Files and variables

#### File: Mayne_et_al._Experiment_2_Data.csv

**Description:** Data from Experiment 2 in: Hydrodynamics and Aquatic Vegetation Drive Spatial Patterns of Environmental DNA in Ponds, Environmental DNA

##### Variables

* **Round** – Order of pond sampling events in Experiment 2 labeled R1-R8.
* **date** – Date that the sampling occurred (2021-08-09 to 2021-08-29).
* **time** – The time the sample was collected in PDT (24 hr).
* **sample_id**  - The location in the pond where the sample was collected. Sample labels follow the naming convention in the figure below. 
* **pos_wells** - Number of replicates that...,