Harnessing the power of eDNA technology for macroalgal ecological studies: Recent advances, challenges, and future perspectives

Macroalgae are critical to oceanic ecosystems as they help maintain ecological balance and contribute to climate regulation. Therefore, preserving and managing macroalgal biodiversity is essential to sustain the overall health of marine environments. However, ecological monitoring of macroalgal communities can be challenging owing to difficulties associated with sampling and morphological identification. Development of environmental DNA (eDNA) technology has eased sample collection and enabled analysis of species composition in mixed DNA samples from any source. In recent years, eDNA technology has played an indispensable role in advancing our understanding of macroalgal ecology. This review aims to provide an overview of the principles, basic technical process, recent developments, and practical applications of eDNA technology in macroalgal research. Besides, the problems and limitations encountered in macroalgal eDNA research are addressed, and the potential solutions to these issues are proposed. Analysis of the current research hotspots and innovative trends suggests that eDNA technology might play an increasingly important role in macroalgal research, particularly in revealing patterns of macroalgal biodiversity and assessing their contributions to carbon sequestration. This review will provide a scientific basis and technical support for the conservation and management of macroalgae ecosystems based on eDNA technology.