Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA

Sepulveda, Adam J.; Smith, David J.; O’Donnell, Katherine; Owens, N.; White, Brittany L.; Richter, Catherine A.; Merkes, Christopher M.; Wolf, Skylar L.; Rau, Mike; Neilson, Matthew; Daniel, Wesley M.; Dumoulin, Christine; Hunter, Margaret

doi:10.3391/mbi.2022.13.2.06

Cited by 10 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Early detection and tracking of invasive species are critical to implementing effective mitigation strategies (Simberloff, 2003;Reaser et al, 2020;Sepulveda et al, 2022). Where lion sh are abundant in the Caribbean, massive citizen scientist efforts and lion sh culling events, or "derbies", have been organized to keep lion sh numbers under control (https://www.reef.org/lion sh-derbies).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An optimized probe-based qPCR assay for monitoring invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) using environmental DNA

Viehl,

Khalid,

Greiner-Ferris

et al. 2024

Preprint

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The Indo-Pacific lionfish Pterois volitans is an invasive species in the western Atlantic. Since their introduction in Florida in the early 1980’s, populations have exploded with lionfish now found from North Carolina to Venezuela. As their range expands, these generalist predators threaten native fauna, and while they are primarily a marine species, their tolerance for low salinity conditions may allow them to expand into sensitive estuarine habitats undetected. Traditional approaches for tracking invasive species such as direct observation or trapping are impractical across large spatial scales making environmental DNA (eDNA) an attractive alternative. Currently, there is only one published PCR assay for the detection of lionfish eDNA. However, the specificity of this assay is unverified, and the critical performance parameters limits of detection (LOD) and limits of quantification (LOQ) have not been established. Here we evaluate the specificity of the currently available lionfish assay, determined that it is not species-specific, and is likely to provide false negatives in the western Atlantic. As an alternative, we developed a new qPCR TaqMan probe-based assay that is species-specific for P. volitans and highly sensitive with a LOD of 12 copies per reaction and a LOQ of 598 copies per reaction. While our assay does not amplify the closely related P. miles, which is also invasive in the western Atlantic, the low prevalence of this species in the invasive population means our assay is effective for most monitoring purposes.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An optimized probe-based qPCR assay for monitoring invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) using environmental DNA

Viehl,

Khalid,

Greiner-Ferris

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…Co-management authorities such as indigenous tribes have played a notable role in accelerating the adoption of eDNA, as have citizen scientists in New Zealand (Bunce & Feeth, 2022). Such a partnership exists in part: scientists and some businesses have reached out to managers in some policy settings (Bruce et al, 2021;Morisette et al, 2021;Sepulveda et al, 2022); in the Timber/Fish/Wildlife process in Washington state, tribal representatives have introduced eDNA methods into the comanagement of forest practices (J. Peters, personal communication, Timber/Fish/Wildlife Policy Committee, n.d.); and philanthropic donors are supporting network-building activities such as the eDNA Collaborative at the University of Washington. This is a start, but the low participation of users from the management arms of agencies so far, a reflection of institutional inertia, poses a significant barrier.…”

Section: Partnership and Coordinationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Sandbox‐like spaces have been used in research where resource managers have collaborated with scientists (Sepulveda et al, 2022; Shelton et al, 2019; Stoeckle et al, 2020); in these instances there were no management decisions that depended directly on eDNA results. Another example is the Molecular Methods Workgroup (2023) in California, a safe space for agency scientists to update best practices, sharing experiences and test results from different agencies.…”

Section: Adoption Through Collaborative Governancementioning

confidence: 99%

Adoption of environmental DNA in public agency practice

Lee,

Kelly,

Demir‐Hilton

et al. 2023

Environmental DNA

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Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis has matured to the point that it is ready for deployment in many applications, particularly in aquatic environments. But public agencies have yet to adopt eDNA methods into their environmental decision making routines at scale, even when eDNA offers clear advantages to those now in use. This article provides a perspective on this gap by considering adoption of a new technology as a path‐dependent, social process in which some paths lead to outcomes that provide far greater benefits than others. We use the diffusion of innovations to investigate eDNA adoption by government agencies, in an effort to (1) identify likely paths toward institutionalized uptake, and (2) suggest ways of avoiding societally inefficient adoption outcomes. Because—as in any scientific endeavor—the best eDNA practices will continue to change, public agencies must remain open to improvements while building a useful and validated array of methods for routine eDNA application. Here we suggest one mechanism for doing so, which we call collaborative governance.

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“…SDM acts as an effective communication tool for leadership and stakeholders since it clearly articulates the decision and why it was made. Sepulveda et al (2022) used an SDM approach to evaluate state‐agency management action responses to hypothetical eDNA detections of various invasive dreissenid mussels ( Dreissena spp.) in a western US reservoir.…”

Section: Communication Strategies Approaches and Toolsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Critical considerations for communicating environmental DNA science

Stein,

Jerde,

Allan

et al. 2023

Environmental DNA

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The economic and methodological efficiencies of environmental DNA (eDNA) based survey approaches provide an unprecedented opportunity to assess and monitor aquatic environments. However, instances of inadequate communication from the scientific community about confidence levels, knowledge gaps, reliability, and appropriate parameters of eDNA‐based methods have hindered their uptake in environmental monitoring programs and, in some cases, has created misperceptions or doubts in the management community. To help remedy this situation, scientists convened a session at the Second National Marine eDNA Workshop to discuss strategies for improving communications with managers. These include articulating the readiness of different eDNA applications, highlighting the strengths and limitations of eDNA tools for various applications or use cases, communicating uncertainties associated with specified uses transparently, and avoiding the exaggeration of exploratory and preliminary findings. Several key messages regarding implementation, limitations, and relationship to existing methods were prioritized. To be inclusive of the diverse managers, practitioners, and researchers, we and the other workshop participants propose the development of communication workflow plans, using RACI (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed) charts to clarify the roles of all pertinent individuals and parties and to minimize the chance for miscommunications. We also propose developing decision support tools such as Structured Decision‐Making (SDM) to help balance the benefits of eDNA sampling with the inherent uncertainty, and developing an eDNA readiness scale to articulate the technological readiness of eDNA approaches for specific applications. These strategies will increase clarity and consistency regarding our understanding of the utility of eDNA‐based methods, improve transparency, foster a common vision for confidently applying eDNA approaches, and enhance their benefit to the monitoring and assessment community.

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Using structured decision making to evaluate potential management responses to detection of dreissenid mussel (Dreissena spp.) environmental DNA

Cited by 10 publications

References 1 publication

An optimized probe-based qPCR assay for monitoring invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) using environmental DNA

An optimized probe-based qPCR assay for monitoring invasive lionfish (Pterois volitans) using environmental DNA

Adoption of environmental DNA in public agency practice

Critical considerations for communicating environmental DNA science

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