Marine Educative Area "Generation 7" : Environmental DNA results n°1

This morning, the AMPN team visited Saint-Charles School for the first of a series of three sessions aimed at presenting the results of their environmental DNA (eDNA) experiment to the 7A students. 

In November, these young scientists collected water samples from their AME and the Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) to isolate DNA. The analyses helped identify the species present and assess the health of the ecosystems.

Today, they were presented with the results concerning species richness (the number of identified species). The richer a site is, the better its ecological condition.

The results are promising: species richness is comparable to that of the MPAs. However, one of the four sites showed lower diversity. The students analyzed possible causes and considered actions to improve the situation. Their proposals, based on their reflections, will be presented at the end-of-year event.

A big thank you to the Department of the Environment, the Department of Maritime Affairs, and Monaco Riviera Navigation for their support in making this project possible.

This program is supported by the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco and the Government of Monaco.

Photo credit: AMPN