Determining changes in distribution of imperiled species is important for developing effective conservation and management strategies. Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, a genetic method that relies on the collection and analysis of exogenous DNA released by a species into the environment, offers a new way to determine the distribution of aquatic species. The USGS and Colville Confederated Tribes recently collaborated on an evaluation of the efficacy of eDNA analysis for improving detection and thus known distribution of Chinook salmon in the Methow and Okanogan Sub-basins of the Upper-Columbia River, Washington, USA and British Columbia, Canada.
Preliminary results of this study demonstrate the potential effectiveness of eDNA detection methods for determining distribution of anadramous salmonids in large river systems. However, while eDNA methods offer new ways to detect species, they also present new challenges for study design and interpretation of results. These challenges and future application of eDNA methods for aquatic species monitoring will be discussed.
