"This special issue is an opportunity to move eDNA and eRNA tools beyond developmental stages, right into real-world monitoring and management applications." Special Issue Editor Xavier Pochon, Team Leader at the Cawthron Institute.

Applications of nucleic acids-based methods for biodiversity monitoring have flourished in the past decade. Technological advances in DNA and RNA analyses have driven the development of increasingly rapid and cost-effective approaches to describing biological communities across biomes. The unprecedented detection of environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA/eRNA) in water, sediment, biofilm, or many other sample types can reveal critical information on the past and current status of aquatic communities. The recent wave of dedicated case-studies has shown applicability of eDNA/eRNA methods and their potential for mitigating anthropogenic pressure on our rapidly changing aquatic ecosystems. However, the immediate implementation of eDNA/eRNA tools is currently limited by the lack of best practice methods that enable adoption across governments, private and community sectors.

"We are only just beginning to understand the potential of eDNA and eRNA based monitoring tools - this special issue will highlight more of these exciting opportunities!" Special Issue Editor Susanna Wood

This special issue will highlight exciting innovations in molecular approaches and recent practical solutions using fit-for-purpose eDNA/eRNA-based tools for monitoring and managing aquatic ecosystems, including applications in biosecurity, aquaculture, offshore exploration, monitoring and conservation of aquatic ecosystems. We welcome papers that focus on methodological developments: practical solutions around sampling, sample processing and analytical workflow as well as fit-for-purpose eDNA/eRNA-based monitoring tools, including field-deployable technologies that support point-of-need research or citizen science applications.

"This issue is an exciting opportunity to bring together some of the latest eDNA/eRNA methods and applications towards fostering continued ideas and progress in this field." Special Issue Editor Holly Bowers

Topics
Including, but not limited to:
Biosurveillance
Aquaculture And Other Aquatic-Based Industries
EDNA-Based Indices Of Aquatic Pollution
Emergent ERNA Biomonitoring Tools
Ecogenomics And Paleogenomics
Software And Bioinformatics Applications For Informing Aquatic Ecosystem Management
Point-Of-Needs DNA/RNA Tools
Applications For End-Users And Citizen Science
Standardisation Of Molecular Methods
Management Tools

"I am looking forward to seeing many cutting-edge studies aimed at resolving extant practical issues hindering wide eDNA/eRNA uptake for environmental monitoring and management." Special Issue Editor Anastasija Zaiko

For more information and to submit your abstract, please visit:  https://peerj.com/special-issues/106-env-dna-toolkit