Widespread adoption of environmental DNA (eDNA)-based biodiversity monitoring in Canada will depend on trust more than on education: insights from a SWOT analysis.

The rapid decline in biodiversity underscores the urgent need for robust monitoring systems to assess ecological responses to environmental change and to inform effective conservation and sustainable management strategies. Owing to its non-invasive nature, high sensitivity, rapid results, and cost-effectiveness, environmental DNA (eDNA) represents a promising approach to address this challenge. Nevertheless, the limited uptake of eDNA beyond scientific contexts suggests that the characteristics of the innovation alone are insufficient to ensure its adoption. With this study, we aimed to (i) compare the perceptions of eDNA experts and end-users about the capabilities of eDNA-based monitoring methods, (ii) identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) associated with the use of eDNA for biodiversity monitoring in Canada, and (iii) examine whether differences in perceptions stem from socio-demographic factors. We used SWOT analysis to identify key internal and external factors influencing eDNA uptake across stakeholder groups. Our findings reveal broad consensus regarding the strengths and opportunities of eDNA for biodiversity monitoring, alongside more heterogeneous views on its limitations and implementation challenges, while socio-demographic variables showed limited influence on perception patterns. Trust emerged as a pivotal factor influencing the adoption of eDNA-based monitoring, encompassing multiple dimensions: confidence in protocols, skepticism toward laboratories and regulatory bodies, concerns over user capacity, and apprehensions regarding the interpretation and potential misapplication of results. To broaden eDNA uptake in Canada, we recommend emphasizing not only education, but also alignment with end-user expectations to increase confidence in the methods, and trust among organizations.