Authors:

Jackson Doyel, Madelon Van de Kirk, Richard Whitney

Abstract

(Ascertaining funds to extract DNA from our soil samples)

Bison shaped American prairies but were extirpated, fragmenting ecosystems. Tribal Nations are reintroducing this keystone species. By working with the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, we are conducting an environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis on soil to examine how recently reintroduced (2023) free-ranging plains bison impact the diversity of insect, amphibian, reptile, fungal, and microbiota communities. eDNA allows us to identify species from genetic material they leave behind in soil, i.e. skin cells or waste. Bison are a keystone species that benefit biodiversity in prairie ecosystems, but how fast do these benefits become apparent? By comparing eDNA samples from areas with and without bison grazing, we can assess the impact of wild bison on sensitive species. 62% of the American grassland biome has been lost to development and ranching. Just like the grasslands they managed, the bison were nearly exterminated to remove competition with cattle and to destroy the indigenous communities of the Great Plains. Tribes are taking back their sovereignty and right to a cultural food source by bringing back the bison--bringing back the grasslands. Our research supports this effort by looking into how effective this reintroduction has been, not just for the people, but for the overlooked plants, insects, mushrooms, and so many other lifeforms that make grasslands actually grasslands. Soil environmental DNA studies are a blossoming field in genetics - 84% of eDNA studies are focused on water. By expanding this into terrestrial studies on keystone species roles in biodiversity, we can support a new emergence in ecological studies using DNA and explore new avenues into the ecosystem roles of bison on Tribal and public lands.