Communities living in and near the seabed (benthos) are crucial components of the marine ecosystem. High benthic biodiversity contributes to healthy seas and oceans. Understanding changes in these communities starts with observation and monitoring. However, the more complex the marine ecosystem, the more time-consuming and challenging the task. In her doctoral thesis ‘Marine Benthic Metabarcoding’, NIOZ-researcher Lise Klunder concludes that the DNA-based method of metabarcoding could mean a big leap forward in the essential monitoring of benthic life.
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