First Autonomous eDNA Survey Using a Self- Righting, Solar-Powered Surface Vehicle in an Estuarine Hope Spot

The integration of environmental DNA (eDNA) samplers with autonomous or remotely operated vehicles offers non-invasive and scalable approaches to marine biodiversity monitoring, particularly in the context of global conservation goals. We demonstrate the first successful integration of a solar-powered, self-righting, uncrewed surface vehicle, the DataXplorer™ (DX; Open Ocean Robotics) with an autonomous eDNA sampler, the Robotic Cartridge Sampling Instrument (RoCSI; McLane Research Laboratories) and its deployment in a shallow, tidally influenced coastal lagoon, Shinnecock Bay, New York, a Mission Blue-designated Hope Spot®. Over 8 days, the instrument produced 98 usable samples for sequencing, including nighttime samples and those from sensitive eelgrass habitats. Using eDNA metabarcoding with 3 complementary primer sets paired with occupancy modeling, we resolved the presence and distributions of 15 priority taxa (endangered, vulnerable, threatened, or of special concern to conservation) and 8 invasive species. A strong east-west gradient in occupancy was observed, with over 200 taxa exhibiting higher occupancy in the eastern bay, where water quality is known to be less degraded, and a small subset of 13 taxa, including invasive species, more concentrated in the western bay. Eelgrass beds were identified as a critical biodiversity hotspot and were positively associated with the occupancy of over 200 taxa across multiple trophic levels. Observed finescale temporal patterns allowed for the first-ever nighttime observations, including increased presence of small fish like anchovies, gobies, and silversides in open water at night, as well as the presence of a nocturnal predator, the shortfin mako shark. By pairing eDNA-based biodiversity monitoring with a solar-powered maritime platform, this technology supports both biodiversity and climate-related objectives of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and UN Ocean Decade. This technology thus demonstrated its value for emissions-free, non-invasive, and high-resolution coastal monitoring in a sensitive conservation area for a restoration program.