eDNAqua-Plan Data Management Plan: DMP template, list of datasets, metadata standard vocabularies, repositories and file names for eDNA Studies

This document provides a comprehensive overview of the datasets, databases, and metadata standards recommended within the eDNAqua-Plan digital landscape. It outlines the workflow steps for eDNA studies, including sampling, laboratory procedures, bioinformatics analyses, and taxonomic assignment, while specifying the applicable methodologies (metabarcoding, metagenomics, targeted assays, and morphology). Key features include: Standardized file naming conventions (aligned with FAIR guidelines). Recommended metadata standards (e.g., MIxS, DwC, ENVO) and reproducibility management systems (e.g., NCBI BioProject, Zenodo, GitHub). File extension types for data files (e.g., CSV, FASTQ, FASTA). Guidance on data types, from project and sample metadata to raw/processed sequencing data, reference libraries, and bioinformatics code. The document serves as a practical reference for researchers, ensuring consistency, interoperability, and reproducibility in eDNA data management and sharing.