eDNA Field Methodology and Study Design

This standard will specify minimum requirements for eDNA field methodologies and study design by establishing scientifically rigorous requirements and recommendations developed by leading eDNA subject matter experts for water, air, soil, among others, and will provide the following benefits;

• Practitioners and regulators will have a National Standard of Canada that consolidate subject matter expert consensus and sets minimum requirements for eDNA field methodologies.
• Formal standardization of eDNA field methodologies within the field of practitioners utilizing eDNA techniques. The use of the standard will promote consistent and reproducible results between practitioners conducting eDNA field sampling.
• Regulators will have an industry recognized document that can be adopted into policy or standard operating procedures to document and establish best practices for practice and verification. 
• Increased use and acceptance of eDNA techniques for species surveying and monitoring in a scientifically rigorous way has benefits to; the species (e.g., less disruptive monitoring and sampling), interested parties (e.g., cost savings, reduced health and safety risk), and the scientific community (e.g., more sensitive and species-specific detections). 
• Awareness and understanding of eDNA applications and appropriate study design to achieve desired objectives within the field of practitioners utilizing eDNA techniques.
• Impacts to sensitive species will be reduced through acceptance of non-invasive eDNA survey techniques, where practicable.

Administrative permitting requirements may be reduced for non-invasive surveying of species, where practicable.