The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data

Metabarcoding and Metagenomics
By: , and 

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Abstract

Environmental DNA (eDNA) and RNA (eRNA) metabarcoding has become a popular tool for assessing biodiversity from environmental samples, but inconsistent documentation of methods, data and metadata makes results difficult to reproduce and synthesise. A working group of scientists have collaborated to produce a set of minimum reporting guidelines for the constituent steps of metabarcoding workflows, from the physical layout of laboratories through to data archiving. We emphasise how reporting the suite of data and metadata should adhere to findable, accessible, interoperable and reproducible (FAIR) data standards, thereby providing context for evaluating and understanding study results. An overview of the documentation considerations for each workflow step is presented and then summarised in a checklist that can accompany a published study or report. Ensuring workflows are transparent and documented is critical to reproducible research and should allow for more efficient uptake of metabarcoding data into management decision-making.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title The MIEM guidelines: Minimum information for reporting of environmental metabarcoding data
Series title Metabarcoding and Metagenomics
DOI 10.3897/mbmg.8.128689
Volume 8
Publication Date December 30, 2024
Year Published 2024
Language English
Publisher Pensoft Publishers
Contributing office(s) Columbia Environmental Research Center, Northern Rocky Mountain Science Center, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center
Description e128689, 30 p.
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