TEB Lab at the 2nd sedaDNA conference, Tromsø

In June, four members of the TEB Lab attended the 2nd sedaDNA conference in Tromsø (Norway), home to many collaborators and the midnight sun. Sandra, Elena, Xaali, and Franka were joined by Universitat de Barcelona colleague Sandra Garcés Pastor on the way to Tromsø, where we were excited to see many familiar and new faces talk enthusiastically about the advances in the field of sedimentary ancient DNA research. From reconstructing past community dynamics to sequencing ancient genomes and from monitoring invasive species to editing crops, the conference covered a breadth of research that went beyond the traditional reconstruction of ecosystems and into the future potential of using sedaDNA to answers pressing questions about biogeography, ecology, and global change.

Elena Baños presented some of the results of the TEMPOINVASIONS project, monitoring past invasions of Spanish coastal systems using sedaDNA.

Xaali O’Reilly Berkeley talked about the potential for using sedaDNA to understand island ecosystem dynamics and palaeoecology, as part of the TIME-LINES project.

Franka Gaiser spoke about her work on the differentiation and homogenisation of alpine ecosystems over the Holocene, in collaboration with the Tromsø team and Sandra Garcés Pastor, who presented expansive work elucidating the influence of livestock on alpine ecosystems over time.

As we continue to develop our work with sedaDNA in the TEB Lab, it was fantastic to catch up with collaborators and exciting to see the progress of experts and practitioners in the field. We are curious to see in which direction this innovative research field will be developing. Last but not least, a big shout out to the organising team who not only facilitated inspiring academic discussions but also organised great side events such as the ice breaker, the conference dinner and the excursions into the marvellous landscapes of Tromsø.

Authors

Xaali O'Reilly Berkeley, Postdoc

Franka Gaiser, visiting PhD student