Toward a national eDNA strategy for the United States

Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) data make it possible to measure and monitor biodiversity at unprecedented resolution and scale. As use‐cases multiply and scientific consensus grows regarding the value of eDNA analysis, public agencies have an opportunity to decide how and where eDNA data fit into their mandates. Within the United States, many federal and state agencies are individually using eDNA data in various applications and developing relevant scientific expertise. A national strategy for eDNA implementation would capitalize on recent scientific developments, providing a common set of next‐generation tools for natural resource management and public health protection. Such a strategy would avoid patchwork and possibly inconsistent guidelines in different agencies, smoothing the way for efficient uptake of eDNA data in management. Because eDNA analysis is already in widespread use in both ocean and freshwater settings, we focus here on applications in these environments. However, we foresee the broad adoption of eDNA analysis to meet many resource management issues across the nation because the same tools have immediate terrestrial and aerial applications.

Comparison of traditional and molecular surveys of fish biodiversity in southern Te Wāhipounamu/Fiordland (Aotearoa/New Zealand)

“…To date the fish diversity of Te Wāhipounamu has been described based on a diverse range of mostly visual methods (Grange, 1985;Inglis et al, 2008;Mladenov, 2001;Roberts, 2005;Roberts et al, 2020), possibly owed to the fact that eDNA-based surveys are picking up pace at differ speeds around the globe (Capurso et al, 2023;Kelly et al, 2023), and the rather slow recognition that existing specimen and taxonomic expertise needs to be integrated to realize purposeful eDNA biodiversity surveys (de Santana et al, 2021). Furthermore, in New Zealand and elsewhere indigenous interests may not necessarily align with open access publication of genomic data.…”

Simultaneous species detection and discovery with environmental DNA metabarcoding: A freshwater mollusk case study

“…With the increasing use of eDNA methods over the last two decades has come an increasingly complete suite of tools and publications addressing eDNA sampling best practices, project planning, and application (e.g., Goldberg et al, 2016;Kelly et al, 2023;Liu et al, 2020;Maloy et al, 2023) to help guide potential users seeking to partner with molecular labs.…”

Adoption of environmental DNA in public agency practice

“…Policy leadership is beginning to emerge, however. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (Box 2) is playing this role now: it has the authority to convene agencies that could use eDNA methods (Kelly et al, 2023). Similarly, the Council on Environmental Quality (Box 2) could provide guidance for using eDNA methods to assess environmental impacts (Laschever et al, 2023).…”