Environmental DNA (eDNA), or DNA present in an environmental sample, is emerging as a powerful tool to detect species present in an ecosystem without having to actually capture and identify individual organisms. Fish, invertebrates, and other animals shed DNA, through fragments of tissue and reproductive and waste products, into the environment in which they live. We will present initial results from a pilot environmental eDNA monitoring program being developed and tested at several National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) sites in New England and Oregon. Sampling is conducted in coordination with traditional monitoring programs to validate species identification and detection limits.

This webinar is an opportunity for the research team to engage reserves that are considering eDNA monitoring, and compare notes with other researchers and natural resource managers that are using eDNA approaches.