AQUA-BIOMONITOR: Integrating Field Surveys and Molecular Methods for Cost-Effective Freshwater Biodiversity Monitoring

AQUA-BIOMONITOR proposes an integrated approach to developing, validating and standardising cost-effective methods for freshwater biodiversity monitoring, combining conventional field surveys, taxonomic expertise and molecular techniques.

The initiative focuses on rivers, lakes, ponds, wetlands and associated freshwater habitats. Particular attention will be given to aquatic invertebrates as indicators of biodiversity, ecosystem condition and environmental change.

Drawing on expertise in field ecology, aquatic invertebrate taxonomy, molecular genetics, DNA barcoding and biodiversity assessment, our research team proposes to contribute to the following activities.

1. Integrated field and molecular biodiversity assessment

Combining standard hydrobiological sampling, morphological identification, DNA barcoding, metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis to assess freshwater biodiversity and community composition.

Comparing the performance of traditional and molecular approaches across different freshwater habitats and environmental conditions.

2. Development and validation of monitoring protocols

Developing reproducible sampling, specimen processing and molecular analysis protocols suitable for routine biodiversity monitoring.

Assessing detection accuracy, taxonomic resolution, repeatability, sampling effort and operational requirements to identify efficient combinations of field and laboratory methods.

3. DNA reference libraries and taxonomic verification

Supporting the development and improvement of DNA reference libraries for freshwater invertebrates through reliable morphological identification, molecular characterisation and validation of reference sequences.

Addressing taxonomic gaps that limit the accuracy of molecular biodiversity assessments.

4. Cost-effectiveness assessment

Comparing traditional and molecular monitoring methods in terms of field effort, laboratory costs, processing time, taxonomic coverage and reliability.

Identifying monitoring strategies that provide robust biodiversity information while reducing costs and supporting large-scale implementation.

5. Biodiversity indicators and environmental assessment

Developing and evaluating biodiversity indicators based on freshwater invertebrate communities, species composition and molecular biodiversity data.

Integrating biological results with environmental information, including selected hydrochemical parameters, to improve the interpretation of ecosystem condition and biodiversity change.

6. Standardisation and support for EU environmental policies

Contributing to harmonised monitoring methodologies, comparable datasets and practical recommendations for freshwater biodiversity assessment.

Working with consortium partners and environmental authorities to align proposed methods with the information needs of EU biodiversity and water policies, including the Water Framework Directive and nature restoration objectives.

Expected Contribution to the Consortium

Our research team can contribute expertise in freshwater field surveys, aquatic invertebrate taxonomy, morphological and molecular species identification, DNA barcoding, metabarcoding, eDNA analysis and ecological monitoring.

Potential contributions include field sampling protocols, taxonomically verified reference materials, molecular identification workflows, comparative method validation, biodiversity indicators and assessment of monitoring efficiency.

We are particularly interested in contributing to field validation, integration of morphological and molecular methods, DNA reference library development and comparative evaluation of monitoring approaches.

Proposed Role in the Consortium

Scientific partner for freshwater biodiversity monitoring, aquatic invertebrate identification, molecular method validation, DNA reference library development and assessment of monitoring cost-effectiveness.

AQUA-BIOMONITOR aims to support the development of reliable, comparable and affordable freshwater biodiversity monitoring approaches that can be implemented across European environmental monitoring programmes.