Science Advisory Report 2020/058

Advice on the Use of Targeted Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis for the Management of Aquatic Invasive Species and Species at Risk

Summary

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) herein refers to DNA extracted from environmental samples (e.g., water, biofilms, air, sediment, gut contents, feces) and analyzed for biological monitoring and surveillance. This advice focuses on targeted eDNA approaches that selectively detect DNA of aquatic organism(s) of management interest. As quantitative PCR (qPCR) is currently the most common and widely-used targeted eDNA approach, it is the focus of this advice.
• When targeted eDNA methods are validated adequately, they can be used to indirectly infer the presence or absence of target organism(s). DFO and DFO clients are increasingly using eDNA approaches for monitoring programs and decision-making.
• This advice is a first effort towards enabling consistent and transparent communication and reporting between eDNA end-users and service providers (e.g., DFO Science or third-party). This advice builds towards national and international reporting standards and consensus.
• The numerous strengths of eDNA approaches (e.g., non-destructive, non-intrusive, sensitive) make them an ideal management tool for detection and monitoring of organisms that often are challenging to detect using conventional surveillance methods, such as aquatic invasive species and species at risk.
• An eDNA Guidance Document and Reporting Template are included with this advice, without being overly prescriptive, as complementary tools to support sound, science-based decisions and increase confidence in eDNA studies by providing the information necessary for managers to understand eDNA study design, implementation, and interpretation.
• The validity of eDNA data and results relies on a robust study design, which is specific to project objectives and best developed early and in consultation with managers/end-users, ecologists or researchers, and eDNA service providers. Study design should include sufficient and ecologically-appropriate field sampling for the target organism(s), contamination prevention, and appropriate use of field and laboratory controls to test for potential error(s).
• To ensure consistency in reporting and appropriate interpretation of data, the Guidance Document includes an eDNA validation scale for assessing the rigor of eDNA assays and an example of an eDNA detection decision tree to facilitate interpretation of qPCR results.
• eDNA results must be interpreted in the context of the management objectives and risk tolerances. Interpretation criteria should be selected in consultation with resource managers/end-users, eDNA experts, ecologists, and other relevant experts, and in consideration of relevant environmental factors.

This Science Advisory Report is from the July 6-8, 2020 National Peer Review Meeting on the review of the Guidance on the Use of Targeted Environmental DNA (eDNA) Analysis for the Management of Aquatic Invasive Species and Species at Risk. Additional publications from this meeting will be posted on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Science Advisory Schedule

Science Advisory Report 2020/058 (PDF, 1,035 KB)

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