Our Year 10 Coast to Coast class and three Year 9 Science classes had a bonus thanks to the generosity of Wilderlab giving Nayland College several free analysis kits to obtain the DNA profiles of water samples.

These contribute to a nationwide data bank of samples that can be viewed by browsing this map https://www.wilderlab.co.nz/explore.

The EOTC class has been studying the local coastal environments looking at what is there and how humans have used and abused the ecosystem. Recent work has involved looking at the impact of invasive species like Undaria (in the harbour) and pines (on Oyster Is). Using the Wilderlab kit students took a sample of the coastal water at Oyster Island. The results are fascinating and very engaging. Interestingly we did not detect any Undaria DNA in the water in the estuary but for the keen fishers we do see snapper! Wouldn’t it be great to keep track of when the snapper come and go in Tasman Bay using their DNA?

Student sampling water from the Waimea estuary at Oyster Is.

The Biodiversity Wheel for the eDNA sampled

Year 9 classes completed the same analysis from three locations in Poor Man’s Stream alongside the school grounds. Follow the map link above to identify the exact sample locations.

Maia McKeever samples the stream water with Fiona McLellan assisting. Notice how the students are taking extra care to avoid their own DNA entering the sample by wearing gloves and standing downstream. The small disk on the end of the syringe contains a filter to trap organic material that contains DNA from the water sample.

The results show a wide array of plants and animals are in the catchment area, including the presence of salt-water fish like Snapper.

The health of the stream is Average – not surprising considering the run-off that could occur from the urban areas upstream of school. Students used this data and looking at maps of the area, discussed strategies to improve the health of the stream in relation to managing storm water.