A workshop to advance invasive species early detection capacity of The Rapid Environmental DNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative & Network (READI-Net)

• Published in: Management of biological invasions Vol. 15; no. 1; pp. 159 - 167
• Main Authors: Jones, Devin, Clements, Kaylin, Sepulveda, Adam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Almería Regional Euro-Asian Biological Invasions Centre 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Decision making; Environmental DNA; Introduced species; Invasive species; Nonnative species; United States > US
• ISSN: 1989-8649; 1989-8649
• DOI: 10.3391/mbi.2024.15.1.10

Early detection and rapid response (EDRR) can minimize the impacts of invasive species, which cost billions of dollars globally. To bolster EDRR across the United States, the U.S. Department of the Interior is working with the U.S. Geological Survey and other partners to advance a National EDRR Framework that strengthens tools, actions, and processes to find and eradicate invasive species before they establish and cause negative impacts. An important component of this framework is to strengthen molecular tools for detecting new invasions. The Rapid Environmental (e)DNA Assessment and Deployment Initiative & Network (READI-Net) project is developing automated eDNA sampling tools and processes to ensure that eDNA results are reliable for management decision-making, and information structures to deliver eDNA results to end-users. To improve the potential uptake of this molecular EDRR toolbox, READI-Net investigators met with a group of end-users, partners, developers, and subject-matter experts from federal agencies, tribes, universities, and an NGO representing state agencies from February 28 to March 1, 2023, in Moss Landing, CA. Here, we summarize the READI-Net project and the corresponding participant feedback.