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Strengthening global-change science by integrating aeDNA with paleoecoinformatics


Abstract Ancient environmental DNA (aeDNA) data are close to enabling insights into past global-scale biodiversity dynamics at unprecedented taxonomic extent and resolution. However, achieving this potential requires solutions that bridge bioinformatics and paleoecoinformatics. Essential needs include support for dynamic taxonomic inferences, dynamic age inferences, and precise stratigraphic depth. Moreover, aeDNA data are complex and heterogeneous, generated by dispersed researcher networks, with methods advancing rapidly. Hence, expert community governance and curation are essential to building high-value data resources. Immediate recommendations include uploading metabarcoding-based taxonomic inventories into paleoecoinformatic resources, building linkages among open bioinformatic and paleoecoinformatic data resources, harmonizing aeDNA processing workflows, and expanding community data governance. These advances will enable transformative insights into global-scale biodiversity dynamics during large environmental and anthropogenic changes.
Authors John W. Williams ORCID , Trisha Spanbauer ORCID , Peter D. Heintzman ORCID , Jessica L. Blois ORCID , Éric Capo ORCID , Simon Goring ORCID , Marie‐Ève Monchamp ORCID , Laura Parducci ORCID , Joachim J. Eggers University of Wyoming , Inger Greve Alsos ORCID , Chris Bowler ORCID , Marco J. L. Coolen ORCID , Nicola Cullen , Sarah E. Crump ORCID , Laura S. Epp ORCID , Antonio Fernàndez-Guerra ORCID , Eric C. Grimm ORCID , Ulrike Herzschuh ORCID , Alessandro Mereghetti , Rachel S. Meyer ORCID , Kevin Nota ORCID , Mikkel Winther Pedersen ORCID , Vilma Pérez ORCID , Beth Shapiro ORCID , Kathleen R. Stoof‐Leichsenring ORCID , Jamie R. Wood ORCID
Journal Info Elsevier BV | Trends in Ecology & Evolution , vol: 38 , iss: 10 , pages: 946 - 960
Publication Date 10/1/2023
ISSN 0169-5347
TypeKeyword Image article
Open Access closed Closed Access
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2023.04.016
KeywordsKeyword Image Environmental DNA (Score: 0.5658) , Ecosystem Structure (Score: 0.537302)