Environmental DNA (eDNA) Best Management Practices for Project Planning, Deployment, and Application

Environmental DNA (eDNA) Best Management Practices for Project Planning, Deployment, and Application
BMP Complete Final Draft 4.1.22 - REM LJW.pdf3.55 MB

The Fish and Wildlife Service developed the Environmental DNA (eDNA): Best Management Practices for Project Planning, Development, and Application document, referred to as the BMP guide. The BMP addresses the need for comprehensive eDNA studies standardization, specifically through the lens of a conservation management agency. 

As a collaborative vision and effort, all seven U.S. Service Genetics Labs, including Genetics COP, provided authorship and/or input into this living and evolving document. The BMP will be regularly updated as needed. 

We strongly encourage anyone who is new to eDNA and referencing this document, to seek hands-on education and training for eDNA as well.  A vast number of options for eDNA training are available, including the Genetics COP annual course, Environmental DNA: Study Design, Implementation, and Application, available through the National Conservation Training Center and open to anyone from any entity.  

Author(s)
Erica Mize standing in field
Science Advisor, Division of Data Management, Science Applications
Science Applications
Additional Role(s)
Co-Chair for the Data Science Committee and a Data Ambassador
Expertise
Data Management,
Project Management,
Data Science,
Statistics,
Disease Ecology,
Conservation Genetics
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Onalaska,WI
Aaron P. Maloy
Christopher B. Rees
Jenna Merry
Jose Vasquez
Publication date
Type of document
Education
Protocol
Facility
Conservation Genetics Laboratory
Established in 1987, this lab has the distinct recognition of being the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's first conservation genetics facility. Sophisticated laboratory techniques and analytical methods of conservation genetics are increasingly being applied in a variety of fish and wildlife...
Conservation Office
Anchorage,AK
A cisco fish with coloring dusky gray to bluish on the back, silvery on the sides, and white on the underside being held laying on its side across two hands.
Northeast Fishery Center
The Northeast Fishery Center (Center), located in Lamar, PA includes the Lamar Fish Health Center and the Lamar National Fish Hatchery and Fish Technology Center. We help guide and conduct the science and technology needed to restore and conserve species and their habitats. Our research helps...
Conservation Office
Lamar,PA
Person in a blue inflatable kayak on a calm river
Mid-Columbia Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office
The Mid-Columbia Fish & Wildlife Conservation Office provides technical fisheries assistance and cooperates with Service programs; other federal, state, and local agencies; tribes, and various entities to conserve aquatic species and their habitats in the mid- and upper-Columbia River Basin.
Conservation Office
Leavenworth,WA
A blue sky with clouds as the sun shines on the upper Mississippi River with green bluffs in the distance.
Midwest Fisheries Center
The Midwest Fisheries Center is the region’s Fish Technology Center for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Fish Technology Centers provide leadership in science-based management of trust aquatic resources through applied research and the development of new concepts, strategies and techniques to...
Conservation Office
Onalaska,WI
Houston Toad
San Marcos Aquatic Resources Center
The primary mission of the SMARC is to provide support for, and undertake research on aquatic endangered, threatened, and species at risk.
Conservation Office
San Marcos,TX
PCR machine with blue strand of DNA
Whitney Genetics Laboratory
The Whitney Genetics Laboratory uses environmental DNA (eDNA) testing for early detection of invasive carp in the Chicago Area Waterway System, the Illinois, Upper Mississippi and Ohio Rivers as well as tributaries of all five Great Lakes. The lab also provides species identification via genetic...
Conservation Office
Onalaska,WI
Program
Service biologist Sue Cameron
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's scientific data serve as the foundation for future conservation actions. The Service has committed to the goals of good data stewardship in order to make better decisions based on defensible, high-quality scientific information, practice more efficient project...
Program
Subject tags
Genetics
Conservation science