eDNA data has the potential to improve our ability to make evidence-based decisions across a wide range of objectives – from community efforts to biosecurity risk management to large scale ecological and conservation measures. However, if the insights created are fragmented and do not connect with decision making in accessible ways, eDNA will fail to live up to its potential. The data outputs of metabarcoding data are undeniable, but how these are converted into outcomes for the technology is still a work in progress.

The core challenge in making eDNA accessible is the need to embrace complexity yet distil data and insights into a format that is easy to digest, visual and connects eDNA with a wide diversity of stakeholder groups. 

In this fireside chat we will discuss how advances in metabarcoding, the availability of new indices such as TICI and data science are building a bridge between eDNA and operational intelligence. We will explore how highly bespoke solutions and open-source software can be tailored to empower the use of eDNA data and support collaboration between stakeholder groups.