Best practice guidelines for Australian/New Zealand eDNA biomonitoring programs

Dr Maarten De Brauwer1, Dr Alejandro Trujillo-González2

1CSIRO, Coasts and Oceans Research program, Hobart, Australia, 2University of Canberra, Canberra, Australia

Abstract:

The rapid uptake of environmental DNA methods globally is an indication of its potential in environmental monitoring. In less than 15 years, the field of eDNA has matured well beyond the proof-of-concept state to current moves towards integration in research and monitoring projects globally. Australian and New Zealand researchers have played an important role in this eDNA revolution and as a region we continue to be at the leading edge of many new developments in the field. Despite this expertise, however, integration in official biomonitoring programs remains limited. There remains strong hesitancy with resource managers using eDNA because of the lack of a standardised biomonitoring workflow. National best practice guidelines are essential for the uptake of eDNA methods in government mandated biosecurity and ecosystem monitoring programs. As a cross-institutional group of >30 eDNA experts, we developed the first AUS/NZ best practice eDNA guidelines for monitoring programs and present the draft document to invite feedback from the wider eDNA community. Feedback will be incorporated in the guidelines prior to publication of the final document in mid-2022. It is time to act now as a community and encourage integration of eDNA methodologies in biomonitoring so resource managers can use the best available technologies to ensure a sustainable future for our region’s rich biodiversity.


Biography:

Biography to come

Date

Mar 21 - 23 2022
Expired!