Title : Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the Philippines: Current status, policy frameworks, and guidelines
Abstract:
Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is an emerging, non-invasive method for detecting and monitoring biodiversity in aquatic and near-shore ecosystems by analyzing genetic material shed by organisms into their environment. This approach offers a sensitive, efficient, and cost-effective alternative to traditional survey methods, eliminating the need for direct specimen collection. In the Philippines, a megadiverse archipelago with complex coastal, estuarine, and freshwater systems, eDNA holds strong potential for enhancing biodiversity monitoring, fisheries assessment, and conservation planning. However, its widespread application is limited by the absence of locally tailored best-practice guidelines. This review compiles international standards covering sampling design, field protocols, laboratory workflows, bioinformatics, and data reporting, alongside insights from Philippine case studies. Based on this synthesis, it proposes practical, stepwise guidelines adapted to local conditions, including logistical constraints, permitting requirements, and laboratory capacity. The review also highlights major sources of error and contamination to improve data quality and reproducibility. In addition, it recommends minimum technical and reporting standards for routine monitoring. Finally, it identifies priority areas for national capacity-building, such as infrastructure development, training, collaboration, and policy integration, to support long-term biodiversity monitoring and sustainable resource management.
Keywords: aquatic, bioinformatics, eDNA, metabarcoding, non-invasive.
