Multiple studies have demonstrated environmental (e)DNA detections of rare and invasive species. However, invasive species managers struggle with using eDNA results because detections might not indicate species presence. We evaluated whether eDNA methods have matured to a point where they can be widely applied to aquatic invasive species management. We have found that eDNA methods meet legal standards for being admissible as evidence in most courts, suggesting eDNA method reliability is not the problem. Rather, we suggest the interface between results and management needs attention since there are few tools for integrating uncertainty into decision-making. Solutions include decision-support trees based on molecular best practices that integrate the temporal and spatial trends in eDNA positives relative to human risk tolerance.

多项研究表明，对稀有和入侵物种进行了环境（e）DNA检测。但是，入侵物种管理人员很难使用eDNA结果，因为检测结果可能并不表明物种存在。我们评估了eDNA方法是否已经成熟到可以广泛应用于水生入侵物种管理的程度。我们发现，eDNA方法符合大多数法院可作为证据接受的法律标准，这表明eDNA方法的可靠性不是问题。相反，我们建议要注意结果与管理之间的接口，因为很少有工具可以将不确定性整合到决策中。解决方案包括基于分子最佳实践的决策支持树，这些树整合了eDNA阳性相对于人类风险承受能力的时空趋势。