Author(s): Yi Zhou; Zhao-Yin Wang; Meng-Zhen Xu; Sabrina Yanan Jiang; Bang-Jie Sun

Linked Author(s): Zhaoyin Wang, Mengzhen Xu

Keywords: EDNA technology; Artificial wetland; Macro-invertebrates; Phytoplankton; Ecological degradation

Abstract: Coastal isolated artificial wetlands are vital components of urban ecosystems. However, constrained by limited hydrological connectivity and insufficient self-purification capacity, compounded by anthropogenic pollution, the wetlands face severe ecological degradation risks. This necessitates an efficient biological monitoring and long-term evolution assessment technology system. This study focuses on four artificial wetlands in Macao, employing environmental DNA technology to monitor phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic macro - invertebrates. Concurrently, plankton were sampled using bio-nets and water samplers, while benthic invertebrates were collected with Peterson sampler, followed by microscopic examinat ion under biological and stereomicroscopes. Observed data were analyzed to assess aquatic community structure and long-term wetland ecological evolution. Results indicate that eDNA technology exhibits high sensitivity for detecting phytoplankton and zooplankton, significantly shortening survey cycles and enhancing data production efficiency. However, eDNA monitoring results for benthic macro-invertebrates show substantial discrepancies and high complementarity with traditional sampling methods. eDNA technology cannot effectively distinguish environmental DNA signals from living organisms versus recently deceased ones, making it difficult to accurately reflect real-time population viability and rapid dynamic changes. Based on combined survey data from both methods, significant long-term ecological degradation occurred in Macao's artificial wetlands. Over

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/iahr.proc.ise2026.abs.345

Year: 2026