Critical considerations for the application of environmental DNA methods to detect aquatic species

Summary 1. Species detection using environmentalDNA(eDNA) has tremendous potential for contributing to the understanding of the ecology and conservation of aquatic species.Detecting species using eDNA methods, rather than directly sampling the organisms, can reduce impacts on sensitive species and increase the power of field surveys for rare and elusive species. The sensitivity of eDNA methods, however, requires a heightened awareness and attention to quality assurance and quality control protocols. Additionally, the interpretation of eDNA data demands careful consideration of multiple factors. As eDNA methods have grown in application, diverse approaches have been implemented to address these issues. With interest in eDNA continuing [...]