Community-driven science combines the resources of academic researchers with the efforts of local communities, creating an effective approach to broadening participation while enhancing the scope of scientific studies. In response to declining water quality in the western basin of Lake Erie, we have developed an environmental DNA (eDNA) biomonitoring program that focuses on recreational areas in the watershed. We used high throughput sequencing that targets microbial eukaryotes (18S rRNA) and prokaryotes (16S rRNA) to census the foundation of the aquatic food web of the western basin of Lake Erie. Community participants captured eDNA using a 0.22-micron filtration system. In terms of program success, ERIeDNA hosted eight BioBlitz events with a total of eighteen sampling sites across the watershed using these methods. We found that microbial prokaryotes had the highest alpha diversity at the Maumee River sites, while two of the Ottawa River sites had the lowest alpha diversity. This contrast may be explained by the hydrogeological differences between these two rivers. The Maumee River has a higher nutrient accumulation due to its watershed size and its surrounding land use type being primarily agriculture. This increased availability of nutrients allows for the potential for increased niche space, and thus more diversity. By cultivating a diverse network of community partners, we not only educated the public on water quality issues affecting human health and sustainability, but we also deepened our understanding of microbial communities within the Lake Erie watershed.

Authors:

Megan Ginther, University of Toledo  (megan.ginther@rockets.utoledo.edu)

Shan Thomas, University of Toledo  (shan.thomas@rockets.utoledo.edu)

Alyssa Armstrong, University of Toledo  (alyssa.armstrong@rockets.utoledo.edu)

Trisha Spanbauer, University of Toledo  (trisha.spanbauer@utoledo.edu)