Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Environmental DNA (eDNA) assessment is a powerful tool for studying fish biodiversity in rivers, and it has become increasingly important for the management and sustainability of fisheries and river ecosystems. eDNA refers to the genetic material that can be found in environmental samples such as sediment, water, and air. This genetic material includes not only whole cells but also extracellular DNA and possibly even whole organisms. Non-invasive methods, such as the eDNA approach, provide a more holistic view of fish communities across habitats, and hold great potential for widespread implementation in the surveillance of these ecosystems.The utilization of eDNA analysis has the capability to provide solutions to various ecological inquiries concerning biodiversity, diet, detecting invasive species, and population genetics. In a lot of situations, the use of eDNA analysis may be more effective than traditional methods such as trawling, line fishing, and diver observations in characterizing fish diversity. 

Instructors:

Dr. Carl Ostberg, U.S. Geological Survey Western Fisheries Research Center ([email protected]) and Dr. Austen Thomas, Smith-Root ([email protected])

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