Trends in Aquatic Environmental DNA Research in Alaska

Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis is an emerging tool with significant potential to advance biomonitoring, particularly in remote and logistically challenging environments. The state of Alaska, USA, contains such environments that create unique issues regarding access and sampling. To evaluate the state of eDNA research in Alaska, we conducted a literature review and a regional survey. The review identified 22 peer-reviewed studies published between 2010 and 2025, while the survey of responses representing state, federal, academic, tribal, and nonprofit organizations (46 responses) captured information on ongoing and unpublished projects. Our literature review and survey results reveal that most published and ongoing studies in Alaska employ eDNA metabarcoding to assess community assemblages, species distributions, and biodiversity patterns. However, respondents reported several barriers to implementation, including limited funding, infrastructure, and assay availability. Barriers include uncertainty in laboratory selection, sampling protocols, and data analysis. Despite these challenges, cross-sector collaborations are developing. Across the growing effort to harness eDNA as a management tool, collaborations with subsistence harvesters are emerging as a promising approach for sample collection in remote areas. This study provides the first comprehensive overview of eDNA research in Alaska, identifies key data gaps, and offers examples of coproduction of knowledge currently underway in the state. eDNA research strategies that address these data gaps and ongoing coproduction frameworks developed in Alaska inform and advance remote and Arctic biomonitoring programs globally.