Zoological applications for environmental DNA: detection, diversity, and health

Environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring has revolutionised the way biodiversity is surveyed over the past decade. There is now a myriad of eDNA protocols and techniques developed to improve eDNA isolation from environmental samples, greatly diversifying eDNA applications in the types of species surveillance that can now be undertaken. As the breadth of those applications increase and more studies show the promise of these tools to inform environmental management, there is greater impetus in the uptake by end-use agencies as part of routine monitoring. Indeed, the question is no longer if these eDNA methods work, but rather if reproducibility can be achieved to inform management decisions.