Advanced Training in DNA Barcoding and Introduction to Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding for Aquatic Ecosystem Conservation

Introduction

Our ecosystems harbour immense biodiversity, which supply the basic materials for human well-being including food and medicine. Unfortunately, due to natural and anthropogenic disturbances, their very survival is under threat. Thus, the monitoring of this biodiversity is vital towards their conservation and management especially in the face of detrimental climate change effects. Precise taxonomic identification is critical for the development of a sustainable management program for any species, be it of ecologically or economically importance. Identifying adult whole specimens is usually straightforward through established taxonomic keys. However, many species closely resemble each other. On the other hand, a single species also often varies in physical appearance as they progress through their different life stages. Furthermore, identifying fragmentary or processed remains poses a bigger challenge since the original characteristics have been transformed beyond recognition or are missing. In such complex analytical tasks, some students may choose to hausarbeit schreiben lassen (German for “have a term paper written”) to focus on the scientific research itself.

Photo Gallery

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