A non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem

Abstract

This invention discloses a non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem, comprising a first collection module for collecting and preserving eDNA samples from trees, a second collection module for collecting water samples, a third collection module for collecting soil samples, and an analysis module for monitoring the samples. The first collection module includes a water spraying component, a collection component, and a moving component. By actively spraying water near the tree trunk to flush away eDNA from the trees, and by using elastic clamps to surround the tree trunk to collect and guide the sample water flow, the system is finally filtered and preserved through a device integrated within the vehicle. This sampling and monitoring method expands the sample extraction range, enabling more accurate biodiversity monitoring.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of biological research, specifically to a non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem. Background Technology

[0002] Non-invasive biodiversity monitoring refers to monitoring processes that do not require interaction with the organisms themselves. It is suitable for monitoring rare, elusive, sensitive, or endangered species. The most representative of these is environmental DNA technology (i.e., eDNA technology), which is a technique for monitoring biodiversity by extracting and analyzing DNA fragments released by organisms from environmental samples (such as water, soil, tree surface residues, etc.).

[0003] Sample extraction is particularly important for eDNA technology. Among the existing eDNA monitoring technologies, the sampling techniques for water and soil are relatively mature. However, in artificial ecosystems (such as plantations), there are some small animals that rely on trees for survival (such as squirrels, lizards, and some arthropods). Their DNA material is mostly left on the trees. Therefore, for biodiversity monitoring in plantations, extracting only water, soil, and air samples can easily lead to missing monitoring data. Extraction of eDNA from trees is more important. However, the existing monitoring systems generally use swab extraction to extract DNA residues from trees, which has a small extraction range and is prone to omissions. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in artificial ecosystems, which solves the problem of limited sample extraction range in artificial ecosystems by existing eDNA monitoring technologies.

[0005] The present invention achieves the above objectives through the following technical solutions: A non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem includes a first collection module for collecting and preserving eDNA samples from trees, a second collection module for collecting water samples, a third collection module for collecting soil samples, and an analysis module for monitoring the samples. The first collection module includes... A water spray assembly used to spray water onto trees to flush eDNA samples; A collection assembly for collecting water flow samples flowing down around tree trunks includes a pair of swing arms and elastic clamps at the ends of the swing arms, the upper surfaces of which are provided with continuous drainage grooves. A mobile component for carrying a collection component and storing samples, including a vehicle body, wherein the end of the drainage channel is provided with a collection hole communicating with the vehicle body to introduce water samples into the vehicle body for filtration and storage.

[0006] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the water spraying assembly includes a lifting platform mounted on the vehicle body, a pair of elastic frames hinged to the lifting platform, and an elastic ring tube with a non-hinged end of the elastic frames. The elastic frames are embedded with a flexible hose that supplies water to the elastic ring tube. The inner side of the elastic ring tube is provided with multiple water outlets and a scraper for conforming to the tree. This embodiment sprays water onto the tree trunk by setting the elastic ring tube around the tree trunk to form a flushing water flow, so as to facilitate the collection of samples by surrounding the tree trunk.

[0007] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the swing arm is connected to the vehicle body by a hinge seat, and the vehicle body is provided with a hydraulic cylinder for driving the swing arm to swing. The two ends of the hydraulic cylinder are respectively hinged to the vehicle body and the swing arm. This embodiment uses a hydraulic cylinder to drive the swing arm to move so that the elastic clamp can clamp and fit tightly against the tree trunk.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the vehicle body is provided with a multi-stage filtration device and a refrigeration assembly. A flexible hose is provided between the collection hole and the vehicle body, and the flexible hose is connected to the multi-stage filtration device for filtering out water flow samples and retaining eDNA for refrigeration. This solution adopts the prior art, setting up a multi-stage filtration device to filter water flow samples, extracting substances containing eDNA for refrigeration and preservation. The multi-stage filtration device is set in the refrigeration assembly to facilitate direct preservation after sampling. Alternatively, the filtration device can be integrated into the vehicle body, and after sampling, it can be separated from the filter membrane, and then a stabilizer is added before being placed in the refrigeration assembly.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the elastic clamp is provided with a plurality of drainage mechanisms, which are used to embed into the cracks in the bark of trees for drainage. Since some trees with larger diameters have large cracks between their bark, the elastic clamp alone cannot fill them, causing water samples to flow out of the cracks and making them difficult to collect. This solution uses drainage mechanisms embedded in the cracks for drainage.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the drainage mechanism includes a collar, on which an elastic drainage head is provided extending upward from the surface near the inner groove. The inner surface of the elastic clamp is provided with axially extending stripes, and the contact surface between the collar and the inner surface is provided with corresponding limiting strips, so that the elastic clamp can drive the collar to move in a circular motion when it presses against the tree surface. This embodiment further provides a specific form of the drainage mechanism, which drives the collar to rotate around the tree trunk surface through the rotation of the elastic clamp. When the collar is embedded in a crack, it is blocked by the crack in the circumferential direction and no longer rotates with the elastic clamp, thereby allowing the drainage mechanism to enter more cracks.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collar forms a recessed portion downward on the upper part of the drainage channel, and the surface of the elastic drainage head is provided with a groove for introducing water flow samples into the recessed portion. This embodiment uses the groove and recessed portion to introduce water in the elastic drainage head into the drainage channel for collection.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the end of the elastic clamp away from the swing arm is provided with a curved portion. This embodiment enables the elastic clamp to rotate around the tree trunk by providing a curved portion.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bottom of the vehicle body is provided with a pair of drive wheels and a pair of omnidirectional wheels. Each drive wheel is provided with a drive motor, and the axial directions of the drive wheels intersect the axial directions of the elastic clamp. This embodiment makes the vehicle body move around the axial direction of the elastic clamp by making the drive wheels rotate differently, so that the elastic clamp can rotate around the tree trunk.

[0014] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This solution actively sprays water into the tree trunk area to flush down the eDNA material on the tree trunk, and collects and guides the sample water flow by setting up elastic clamps around the tree trunk. Finally, the sample is filtered and preserved by a device integrated in the vehicle. This sampling and monitoring method can expand the range of sample extraction, so as to make biodiversity monitoring more accurate. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a top view of the collecting component and the moving component of the present invention; Figure 3 This is an isometric view of the moving component of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the elastic clamp of the present invention; Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 1 Enlarged view of the structure of section A in the middle; Figure 6 This is the main view of the collection component and the moving component of the present invention; In the diagram: 1. Moving component; 11. Vehicle body; 12. Drive wheel; 13. Drive motor; 14. Caster wheel; 2. Water spray assembly; 21. Lifter; 22. Guide rod; 23. Lifting platform; 24. Elastic frame; 25. Elastic ring tube; 26. Hydraulic cylinder; 27. Scraper head; 3. Collection assembly; 31. Hinge seat; 32. Swing arm; 33. Elastic clamp; 34. Drainage channel; 35. Collection hole; 36. Hydraulic cylinder; 37. Stripe; 38. Bend; 4. Drainage mechanism; 41. Collar; 42. Recess; 43. Elastic drainage head; 44. Groove; 45. Limiting strip. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments are only used to further illustrate the present application and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art can make some non-essential improvements and adjustments to the present application based on the above application content. Example 1

[0017] like Figure 1-6 As shown, a non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem includes a first collection module for collecting and storing eDNA samples from trees, a second collection module for collecting water samples, a third collection module for collecting soil samples, and an analysis module for monitoring the samples. The first collection module includes a water spray component 2, a collection component 3, and a moving component 1. The water spray component 2 is used to spray water onto the trees to flush away the eDNA samples. The collection component 3 is used to collect water samples flowing down the tree trunks and includes a pair of swing arms 32 and elastic clamps 33 at the ends of the swing arms 32. The upper surfaces of the swing arms 32 and the elastic clamps 33 are provided with continuous drainage channels 34. The moving component 1 is used to carry the collection component 3 and store the samples. It includes a vehicle body 11. The end of the drainage channel 34 is provided with a collection hole 35 communicating with the vehicle body 11 to introduce the water samples into the vehicle body 11 for filtration and storage.

[0018] This method actively sprays water onto the tree trunk area to flush away eDNA material from the trees. The sample water is collected and guided by setting up elastic clamps 33 around the tree trunk. Finally, the water is filtered and preserved through a device integrated in the vehicle body 11. This sampling and monitoring method can expand the range of sample extraction, so as to make biodiversity monitoring more accurate.

[0019] In this embodiment, tree eDNA is collected through the first collection module, and water and soil samples are obtained by combining the second collection module and the third collection block in the prior art. After obtaining the samples, the samples are analyzed according to the analysis module in the prior art to obtain the DNA species and quantity, so as to monitor biodiversity. In the process of the first collection module, the elastic clamp 33 is first wrapped around the trunk, and the movement of the swing arm 32 drives the elastic clamp 33 to clamp the trunk. Then, water is sprayed into the area near the trunk above the tree through the water spray component 2. Most of the flushing water flows down the trunk, is guided into the drainage channel 34 through the ring clamp 33, and finally flows into the vehicle body 11 for filtration and preservation. A silicone sleeve can be set on the inner upper edge of the ring clamp 33 for better fit.

[0020] Preferably, the water spray assembly 2 includes a lifting platform 23 mounted on the vehicle body 11, a pair of elastic frames 24 hinged to the lifting platform 23, and an elastic ring tube 25 at the non-hinged end of the elastic frame 24. The elastic frame 24 is embedded with a hose for supplying water to the elastic ring tube 25. The inner side of the elastic ring tube 25 is provided with multiple water outlets and a scraper head 27 for adhering to the tree. The scraper head 27 is mounted on a block-shaped rubber block. This solution uses the elastic ring tube 25 to spray water around the tree trunk to form a flushing water flow, which facilitates the collection of samples by surrounding the tree trunk. Specifically, the lifting platform 23 is raised and lowered by a lifter 21, and the lifting platform 23 is guided by a guide rod 22 mounted on the vehicle body 11. The end of the elastic frame 24 is provided with a bearing and is rotatably hinged to the lifting platform 23. The elastic frame 24 is driven to open and close by a hydraulic cylinder 26 mounted on the lifting platform 23.

[0021] Preferably, the swing arm 32 is connected to the vehicle body 11 by a hinge seat 31, and the vehicle body 11 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 36 for driving the swing arm 32 to swing. The two ends of the hydraulic cylinder 36 are respectively hinged to the vehicle body 11 and the swing arm 32. In this solution, the hydraulic cylinder 36 drives the swing arm 32 to move so that the elastic clamp 33 can clamp and fit the tree trunk.

[0022] Preferably, the vehicle body 11 is equipped with a multi-stage filtration device and a refrigeration component. A flexible tube is provided between the collection hole 35 and the vehicle body 11, and the flexible tube is connected to the multi-stage filtration device to filter out water flow samples and retain eDNA for refrigeration. This solution adopts the existing technology, sets up a multi-stage filtration device to filter water flow samples, extracts substances containing eDNA and refrigerates them. The multi-stage filtration device is set in the refrigeration component so that it can be directly stored after sampling. Alternatively, the multi-stage filtration device can be integrated into the vehicle body 11, and after sampling, it can be separated from the filter membrane, and then a stabilizer is added before it is placed in the refrigeration component.

[0023] Preferably, the elastic clamp 33 is fitted with several drainage mechanisms 4. The drainage mechanisms 4 are used to embed into the cracks in the bark of trees for drainage. Since some trees with larger diameters have large cracks between their bark, and these large trees are areas rich in samples, the elastic clamp 33 alone cannot fill the cracks, causing the water sample to flow out of the cracks and making it difficult to collect. This solution uses drainage mechanisms 4 to embed into the cracks for drainage.

[0024] Furthermore, the drainage mechanism 4 includes a collar 41. An elastic drainage head 43 extends upward from the surface of the collar 41 near the inner groove. The inner surface of the elastic clamp 33 is provided with axially extending stripes 37. The contact surface between the collar 41 and the inner surface is provided with corresponding limiting strips 45, so that when the elastic clamp 33 presses against the tree surface, the elastic clamp 33 can drive the collar 41 to rotate circumferentially. This solution further specifies the specific form of the drainage mechanism 4, which drives the collar 41 to rotate around the tree trunk surface by the elastic clamp 33 rotating slightly around the trunk. When the collar 41 is embedded in a crack, it is blocked by the crack in the circumferential direction and no longer rotates with the elastic clamp 33, thereby allowing the drainage mechanism 4 to enter more cracks and drain through the elastic drainage head 43. Furthermore, a silicone sleeve can be provided at the end of the elastic drainage head 43 to facilitate filling the crack.

[0025] Preferably, the collar 41 forms a recess 42 on the upper part of the drainage channel 34, and the surface of the elastic drainage head 43 is provided with a groove 44 for introducing water samples into the recess 42. This solution uses the groove 44 and the recess 42 to introduce water in the elastic drainage head 43 into the drainage channel 34 for collection.

[0026] Preferably, the end of the elastic clamp 33 away from the swing arm 32 is provided with a curved part 38. This solution provides a curved part 38 so that the elastic clamp 33 can rotate around the tree trunk.

[0027] Preferably, the bottom of the vehicle body 11 is provided with a pair of drive wheels 12 and a pair of omnidirectional wheels 14. Each drive wheel 12 is provided with a drive motor 13, and the axial directions of the drive wheels 12 intersect with the axial directions of the elastic clamps 33. This solution causes the vehicle body 11 to move around the axial direction of the elastic clamps 33 by making the drive wheels 12 rotate differently, so as to drive the elastic clamps 33 to rotate around the tree trunk. Detailed implementation method: Select trees with many signs of animal activity, open the elastic clamp 33, place the vehicle body 11 in a suitable position, control the hydraulic cylinder 36 to drive the swing arm 32 to move, so that the elastic clamp 33 fits against the tree trunk. The elastic clamp 33 can be set with a variety of diameter models to adapt to trees of different diameters. The elasticity can be set to adapt to the diameter of the tree within a small range. Then, the two drive wheels 12 are controlled to move at different speeds. Specifically, the speed ratio of the two drive wheels 12 is equivalent to the ratio of their vertical distances to the axis of the elastic clamp 33, so as to drive the vehicle body 11 to move around the elastic clamp 33. This movement is a small-amplitude reciprocating motion, the purpose of which is to enable the drainage mechanism 4 to find and embed itself in the crack. When the collar 41 is pressed on the bark on the surface of the trunk, the limiting strip 45 is pressed against the stripe 37, and the collar 41 can follow the elastic clamp 33 to reciprocate. When the collar 41 is embedded in the crack, the limiting strip 45 and the stripe 37 are no longer pressed against each other, and the collar 41 is blocked by both sides of the crack and no longer moves with the elastic clamp 33. Therefore, by repeatedly running around the elastic clamp 33, most of the collars 41 can be embedded in the crack and pressed into the crack by the elastic drainage head 43. For smooth bark, the drainage mechanism 4 can be removed.

[0029] Finally, the water spray assembly 2 sprays water onto the tree trunk, and the water flows down the trunk. Then, the lifting platform 23 descends, and the scraper head 27 scrapes and washes the water while the vehicle body 11 continues to move in small reciprocating circles. The elastic frame 24 is designed to adapt to the slight tilt or curvature of the tree. After passing through the inner edge of the elastic clamp 33 and the barrier of the elastic drainage head 43, the sample water flows into the drainage channel 34, and finally enters the vehicle body 11 through the collection hole 35. After being filtered by a multi-stage filtration device, it is refrigerated and then the eDNA material is detected to obtain species diversity information.

[0030] The embodiments described above are merely examples of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and improvements all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem, comprising a first collection module for collecting and preserving eDNA samples from trees, a second collection module for collecting water samples, a third collection module for collecting soil samples, and an analysis module for monitoring the samples, characterized in that, The first acquisition module includes Water spray assembly (2), which is used to spray water onto trees to flush eDNA samples; The collection component (3), which is used to collect water flow samples around the tree trunk, includes a pair of swing arms (32) and an elastic clamp (33) set at the end of the swing arms (32). The upper surfaces of the swing arms (32) and the elastic clamp (33) are provided with continuous drainage grooves (34). The mobile component (1), which is used to carry the collection component (3) and store the sample, includes a vehicle body (11), and the end of the drainage channel (34) is provided with a collection hole (35) communicating with the vehicle body (11) to introduce the water flow sample into the vehicle body (11) for filtration and storage.

2. The non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 1, characterized in that, The water spray assembly (2) includes a lifting platform (23) mounted on the vehicle body (11), a pair of elastic frames (24) hinged on the lifting platform (23), and an elastic ring tube (25) with the non-hinged end of the elastic frame (24). The elastic frame (24) is embedded with a hose for supplying water to the elastic ring tube (25). The inner side of the elastic ring tube (25) is provided with multiple water outlets and a scraper head (27) for fitting the tree.

3. The non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 1, characterized in that, The swing arm (32) is connected to the vehicle body (11) by a hinge seat (31), and the vehicle body (11) is provided with a hydraulic cylinder (36) for driving the swing arm (32) to swing. The two ends of the hydraulic cylinder (36) are respectively hinged to the vehicle body (11) and the swing arm (32).

4. The non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 1, characterized in that, The vehicle body (11) is equipped with a multi-stage filtration device and a refrigeration component. A hose is provided between the collection hole (35) and the vehicle body (11). The hose is connected to the multi-stage filtration device to filter out water samples and retain eDNA material for refrigeration.

5. The non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 1, characterized in that, The elastic clamp (33) is fitted with several drainage mechanisms (4), which are used to embed into the cracks in the bark of trees for drainage.

6. The non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 5, characterized in that, The drainage mechanism (4) includes a collar (41), on which an elastic drainage head (43) is provided extending upward from the surface of the collar (41) near the inner groove. The inner surface of the elastic clamp (33) is provided with axially extending stripes (37), and the contact surface between the collar (41) and the inner surface is provided with corresponding limiting strips (45) so that the elastic clamp (33) can drive the collar (41) to move in a circular motion when the elastic clamp (33) presses against the surface of the tree.

7. A non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 6, characterized in that, The collar (41) forms a recess (42) on the upper part of the drainage groove (34), and the surface of the elastic drainage head (43) is provided with a groove (44) for introducing the water flow sample into the recess (42).

8. A non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 6, characterized in that, The elastic clamp (33) has a curved part (38) at the end away from the swing arm (32).

9. A non-invasive biodiversity monitoring system for mammal species in an artificial ecosystem according to claim 7, characterized in that, The bottom of the vehicle body (11) is provided with a pair of drive wheels (12) and a pair of universal wheels (14). Each drive wheel (12) is provided with a drive motor (13), and the axial directions of the drive wheels (12) and the axial directions of the elastic clamps (33) intersect.

Images