A framework for assessing confidence in metabarcoding assays and results

PLEASE NOTE: The closing date for this notice has been extended to 18/09/2024. DNA-based methods have the potential to significantly change how we monitor and assess ecosystems. These methods are now being used more widely within Natural England, particularly the detection of ecological communities using environmental DNA (eDNA). This is often conducted by employing metabarcoding assays which target specific species assemblages (e.g. fish, mammals) or broader taxonomic groups (e.g. vertebrates, invertebrates, bacte...