Environmental agency approvals and investment decisions by project proponents require rapid, reliable and cost-effective methods to detect and monitor potential constraints, such as species at risk, invasive species, keystone species and pathogens. Sampling the environment for environmental DNA (eDNA) has recently emerged as a reliable and cost-effective method for biomonitoring. eDNA is DNA shed by organisms into their surrounding environment. The environment is sampled and then tested for the presence of DNA from the target species of interest. This new approach does not require the capture, or even visual confirmation of the target species. As compared with conventional field surveys, sampling for eDNA is rapid, less labor-intensive, and provides an objective way to confirm species presence or absence. It also provides distinct advantages with respect to worker safety and sampling costs. While the promise of benefits is high, a substantial constraint remains in that the analysis of eDNA is predominantly performed by academic research laboratories that lack a commercial model for delivery of timely and reliable results, with predictable costs.
A field-based eDNA sampling and testing tool has recently emerged and provides real-time results in the field. We will compare the pros and cons of this new tool with conventional laboratory eDNA methods and eDNA sampling versus traditional aquatic sampling techniques in terms of time, effort, costs and safety. We will review the results of the proof-of-concept testing that has been conducted on pilot projects to demonstrate the benefits of this eDNA field tool to confirm the presence of aquatic species, along with the quality control measures that have been built into the tool to provide reliable results. We will also review examples of how eDNA sampling has been incorporated into aquatic monitoring projects to augment conventional survey approaches and to address challenging questions for the energy and transportation industries and lessons learned from these projects moving forward.