Nonindigenous Aquatic Species eDNA Data and Metadata Submission Forms

More than 6,500 nonindigenous species are now established in the United States, posing risks to native species, valued ecosystems, and human and wildlife health. These invasive species extract a huge cost, an estimated $120 billion per year, to mitigate their harmful impacts. The current annual environmental, economic, and health-related costs of invasive species exceed those of all other natural disasters combined. Through its Invasive Species Program (http://www.usgs.gov/ecosystems/invasive_species/), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) plays an important role in Federal efforts to combat invasive species in natural and semi-natural areas through early detection and assessment of newly established invaders; monitoring of invading populations; and improving understanding of the ecology of invaders and factors in the resistance of habitats to invasion. The USGS provides the tools, technology, and information supporting efforts to prevent, contain, control, and manage invasive species nationwide. To meet user needs, the USGS also develops methods for compiling and synthesizing accurate and reliable data and information on invasive species for inclusion in a distributed and integrated web-based information system. As part of the USGS Invasive Species Program, the Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database (http://nas.er.usgs.gov/) functions as a repository and clearinghouse for occurrence information on nonindigenous aquatic species from across the United States. It contains locality information on approximately 1,300 species of vertebrates, invertebrates, and vascular plants introduced since 1850. Taxa include foreign species as well as those native to North America that have been transported outside of their natural range. The NAS web site provides immediate access to new occurrence records through a real-time interface with the NAS database. Visitors to the web site can use a set of predefined queries to obtain lists of species according to state or hydrologic basin of interest. Fact sheets, distribution maps, and information on new occurrences are continually posted and updated. Dynamically generated species distribution maps show the spatial accuracy of the locations reported, population status, and links to more information about each report. Environmental DNA (eDNA) comprises genetic material that has been sloughed, excreted, or otherwise released into the environment and can be detected in water, soil, and air. For aquatic organisms, this includes skin, excrement, mucus, saliva, blood, and gametes. Collection of environmental samples can be screened for the presence of eDNA, allowing for the detection of low-density organisms before detectability by traditional sampling methods. The combination of traditional specimen sightings and eDNA detections can provide more complete species distribution records and significantly improve the ability to respond quickly to new invasions as part of an early detection rapid response (EDRR) system. Working with interagency eDNA experts, the NAS database has used a consensus method to identify and develop community data standards for integrating eDNA detection data.

The latest form for Nonindigenous Aquatic Species eDNA Data and Metadata Submission Forms expires 2026-07-31 and can be found here.