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SFS Annual Meeting

Poster Details

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OPTIMIZATION OF eDNA EARLY MONITORING TOOL FOR BIGHEADED CARP IN THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Natural resource managers conduct landscape-level monitoring using environmental DNA (eDNA)-based sampling approaches. Analyzing eDNA-based sampling data requires addressing three probabilities: the probability of occurrence of eDNA at a site, the probability of occurrence of eDNA within a sample, and the probability of molecular detection. Occurrence (or synonymous occupancy) models allow the estimation of these probabilities. We developed a three-level occurrence model to examine the occupancy of Bighead and Silver Carps in the Upper Mississippi River. We collected water samples from 3 habitat types in pools 17 & 18 of the Upper Mississippi to validate and inform our model. Samples were analyzed for eDNA. Our objectives were to: 1. Better inform when, where, and what sample size is adequate to effectively use eDNA as a bigheaded carp monitoring tool in the Upper Mississippi River, 2. Determine the detection probability of eDNA in the study area, and 3. Determine the optimal spatial sampling pattern and design for eDNA as a monitoring tool. Our findings illustrate the importance of considering study design and sample sizes when planning eDNA-based research, monitoring, and management decisions.

Christopher Merkes (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USGS, cmerkes@usgs.gov;


Richard Erickson (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USGS, rerickson@usgs.gov;


Nick Berndt (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, nicholas_berndt@usgs.gov;


Katie Bockrath (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, katherine_bockrath@fws.gov;


Jeena Credico (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, jeena_credico@fws.gov;


Nikolas Grueneis (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, nikolas_Grueneis@fws.gov;


Jenna Merry (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, jenna_merry@fws.gov;


Kyle Mosel (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, kyle_mosel@fws.gov;


Maren Tuttle-Lau (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, maren_tuttle-lau@fws.gov;


Kyle Von Ruden (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, Kyle_vonruden@fws.gov;


Zeb Woiak (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, zebadiah_woiak@fws.gov;


Jon Amberg (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USGS, jamberg@usgs.gov;


Sam Finney (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, sam_finney@fws.gov;


Emy Monroe (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), USFWS, emy_monroe@fws.gov;


Erica Mize (Primary Presenter/Author), US Fish and Wildlife Service, erica_mize@fws.gov;