title: Human impact on the McMurdo Dry Valley soils of Antarctica: Extending the limits of DNA detection

authors: Wakerley, Georgia L.J.

subjects: Antarctica

abstract: Antarctica is commonly regarded as the most pristine place on Earth and is safeguarded by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). The ATS designates the continent as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science” and sets out environmental principles regulating human activities. The obligations under the ATS include providing environmental impact assessments and leaving the environment minimally impacted after all operations. The associated human footprint inevitably increases as human activity increases in intensity and diversity on the continent. The human footprint is not clearly defined, and most investigation has focused on visible disturbances of physical (e.g., soil disturbance) and chemical (e.g., hydrocarbon spills) nature. The unseen human footprint remains to be investigated and quantified, which includes released genetic materials and human-associated microorganisms. Given the extremely low biomass in most of terrestrial Antarctica, these materials' presence can be a reliable indicator of human presence and activities.
As part of New Zealand’s effort to carry out an evidence-based risk assessment of the McMurdo Dry Valley ecosystem (DryVER project), this research quantified human impact, in the form of DNA released from humans and human-associated microbiota, across spatial and temporal scales. This project was part of the MBIE grant entitled “Evidence-based Risk Assessment of the McMurdo Dry Valley Ecosystem”. Areas of human activity, including seasonal field camps and facilities zones, were selected as sampling sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), from which soil samples were collected. Human-specific genetic and microbial markers were used with digital PCR to quantify human presence at the lowest possible detection limit across spatial scales. A marker targeting a human MT-CYB gene region was the best marker for detecting and predicting human trace up to 1 km from a highly occupied site. Human impact derived from mtDNA was accumulative with occupancy and greatest closest to a campsite. A marker targeting 16S rRNA of Bacteroides dorei, a human-associated gut bacterium, was used to detect faecal trace. The faecal signal was generally localised to the toilet area of a camp and was too low to predict the distance of detectable signal, regardless of the intensity of occupancy. A DNA longevity experiment was established in situ in Miers Valley to investigate DNA persistence in a cold desert across temporal scales. The results from this experiment demonstrated that intracellular and extracellular DNA remained detectable with endpoint PCR for at least two years. DNA persistence was not significantly affected by soil sterility or UV exposure but did accumulate damage over time.
The direct outcome of this research will be a review of the environmental management systems in place, namely the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) Management Plan. Better management will safeguard the unique MDV ecosystems by using the best practice to minimise anthropogenic impact and strengthen New Zealand’s stewardship over the Ross Dependency as one of the original 12 signatories to the Antarctic Treaty.

text: Human impact on the McMurdo Dry Valley soils of Antarctica: Extending the limits of DNA detection Antarctica is commonly regarded as the most pristine place on Earth and is safeguarded by the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). The ATS designates the continent as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science” and sets out environmental principles regulating human activities. The obligations under the ATS include providing environmental impact assessments and leaving the environment minimally impacted after all operations. The associated human footprint inevitably increases as human activity increases in intensity and diversity on the continent. The human footprint is not clearly defined, and most investigation has focused on visible disturbances of physical (e.g., soil disturbance) and chemical (e.g., hydrocarbon spills) nature. The unseen human footprint remains to be investigated and quantified, which includes released genetic materials and human-associated microorganisms. Given the extremely low biomass in most of terrestrial Antarctica, these materials' presence can be a reliable indicator of human presence and activities.
As part of New Zealand’s effort to carry out an evidence-based risk assessment of the McMurdo Dry Valley ecosystem (DryVER project), this research quantified human impact, in the form of DNA released from humans and human-associated microbiota, across spatial and temporal scales. This project was part of the MBIE grant entitled “Evidence-based Risk Assessment of the McMurdo Dry Valley Ecosystem”. Areas of human activity, including seasonal field camps and facilities zones, were selected as sampling sites in the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MDVs), from which soil samples were collected. Human-specific genetic and microbial markers were used with digital PCR to quantify human presence at the lowest possible detection limit across spatial scales. A marker targeting a human MT-CYB gene region was the best marker for detecting and predicting human trace up to 1 km from a highly occupied site. Human impact derived from mtDNA was accumulative with occupancy and greatest closest to a campsite. A marker targeting 16S rRNA of Bacteroides dorei, a human-associated gut bacterium, was used to detect faecal trace. The faecal signal was generally localised to the toilet area of a camp and was too low to predict the distance of detectable signal, regardless of the intensity of occupancy. A DNA longevity experiment was established in situ in Miers Valley to investigate DNA persistence in a cold desert across temporal scales. The results from this experiment demonstrated that intracellular and extracellular DNA remained detectable with endpoint PCR for at least two years. DNA persistence was not significantly affected by soil sterility or UV exposure but did accumulate damage over time.
The direct outcome of this research will be a review of the environmental management systems in place, namely the McMurdo Dry Valleys Antarctic Specially Managed Area (ASMA) Management Plan. Better management will safeguard the unique MDV ecosystems by using the best practice to minimise anthropogenic impact and strengthen New Zealand’s stewardship over the Ross Dependency as one of the original 12 signatories to the Antarctic Treaty.

year: 2024-05-21

title: Building an excellent foundation for research: Challenges and current research needs

authors: Zegwaard, Karsten E.

subjects: research-informed education

abstract: The delivery of research-informed education is a fundamental principle held by universities and is a principle that work-integrated education (WIL) should not be exempt from. In the 1980s and 1990s, critical reviews of the WIL literature suggested WIL research required significant development. Since these reviews were conducted a significant, well-developed body of literature has formed and increasingly WIL models of delivery are relying on research findings to inform program design. However, despite these successes, significant challenges and research gaps still exist. Authors in this APJCE special issue have given attention to a number of areas that present as challenges. The area of negative and neglected research findings are highlighted and the reexamining the nature of the relationship between the student and workplace supervisor has been discussed. A model of enabling transformative learning is presented and an investigation of the influence of WIL experiences on undergraduate student study direction choices has been reported. Other areas in need of further research attention are also discussed.

text: Building an excellent foundation for research: Challenges and current research needs The delivery of research-informed education is a fundamental principle held by universities and is a principle that work-integrated education (WIL) should not be exempt from. In the 1980s and 1990s, critical reviews of the WIL literature suggested WIL research required significant development. Since these reviews were conducted a significant, well-developed body of literature has formed and increasingly WIL models of delivery are relying on research findings to inform program design. However, despite these successes, significant challenges and research gaps still exist. Authors in this APJCE special issue have given attention to a number of areas that present as challenges. The area of negative and neglected research findings are highlighted and the reexamining the nature of the relationship between the student and workplace supervisor has been discussed. A model of enabling transformative learning is presented and an investigation of the influence of WIL experiences on undergraduate student study direction choices has been reported. Other areas in need of further research attention are also discussed.

year: 2015

title: Iwi interests and the RMA: An evaluation of the quality of first generation council plans

authors: Jefferies, Richard

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū
/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity,
storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent
process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with
council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water
quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with
councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent
processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships
found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and
iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi
and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there
is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the
generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and
behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key
provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences
shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound
working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these
discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better
partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if
there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of
significance and processes for iwi involvement.

text: Iwi interests and the RMA: An evaluation of the quality of first generation council plans This working paper analyses the processes adopted by councils for involving hapū
/iwi in plan implementation, including the resource consents process. Three topic issues were investigated to assess plan implementation — urban amenity,
storm water, and issues of importance to iwi. Questions were asked about the capacity of hapū/iwi to engage in the resource consent
process, which resource issues were of concern to them, their relationship with
council and consent applicants, and their perception of the consent process. Most resources listed in the questionnaire were of concern to hapū/iwi, with water
quality, wāhi tapu and heritage the most commonly cited. In conclusion, we found a general dissatisfaction on the part of hapū/iwi with
councils’ performance with respect to both Treaty relationships and consent
processing under the RMA. A further contributing factor to the poor relationships
found between hapū/iwi and councils, was the lack of clarity over the role of hapū and
iwi in resource management. In several districts, diverging responses from hapū/iwi
and councils to questions about level of understanding and commitment suggests there
is a need for more effective communication. These problems are compounded by the
generally low capacity of hapū/iwi to participate in resource consent processes. These findings suggest that there is much to be done to improve relationships and
behaviour of these key stakeholder groups in the plan implementation process if key
provisions in the RMA related to hapū/iwi interests are to be fulfilled. The differences
shown in reciprocal perceptions have serious implications for establishing a sound
working partnership between councils and hapū/iwi in their areas. Making clear these
discrepancies is a first step towards taking the measures needed for building a better
partnership. Further, the capacity of hapū/iwi to participate could be better utilised if
there was greater integration between regional and district councils on issues of
significance and processes for iwi involvement.

year: 2002-10-31