Environmental DNA (plant ITS1 region) from Michigan lakes

Our study investigates two underexplored aspects of eDNA metabarcoding. First, aquatic ecosystems can be particularly challenging to inventory with eDNA analysis due to water movement and environmental heterogeneity. This study provides an example of a robust sampling design for small temperate lakes, and shows that easily-accessible shore-based sampling may be a reliable technique for informing research and management in similar ecosystems. Second, we characterize both algae and macrophytes to calculate plant diversity metrics in surveyed lakes, which has been rare in the eDNA literature. This approach captures a broad functional cross-section of photosynthesizers rather than being confined either to visible macrophytes or to microorganisms.