Published November 29, 2016 | Version v1
Journal article Open

DNAqua-Net: Developing new genetic tools for bioassessment and monitoring of aquatic ecosystems in Europe

Authors/Creators

  • 1. University of Duisburg-Essen
  • 2. Eawag
  • 3. INFRA
  • 4. NTNU University Museum
  • 5. Finnish Environment Institute
  • 6. Royal Museum for Central Africa
  • 7. University of Geneva
  • 8. University of Otago
  • 9. INRA
  • 10. University of Guelph
  • 11. Université Joseph Fourier
  • 12. University of Tartu
  • 13. CIBIO - Centro de Investigacao em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos
  • 14. University of Antwerp
  • 15. University of Iceland
  • 16. Provincial Centre of Environmental Research
  • 17. National Research Council - Institute of Ecosystem Study
  • 18. Norwegian University of Science and Technology
  • 19. AZTI
  • 20. Nature Metrics Ltd
  • 21. University of Novi Sad
  • 22. University College Dublin
  • 23. Slovak Academy of Sciences
  • 24. Universite Grenoble Alpes LECA
  • 25. University of Minho
  • 26. University to Bucharest
  • 27. Bangor University
  • 28. University of Pecs
  • 29. University of Notre Dame
  • 30. University of Cadiz
  • 31. Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
  • 32. National Institute of Biology
  • 33. Water Research Institute - National Research Council
  • 34. University of Ljubljana
  • 35. Université libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
  • 36. Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum Alexander Koenig (ZFMK)
  • 37. University of Lodz
  • 38. University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences
  • 39. Marine and Freshwater Research Institute
  • 40. AquaBiota Water Research
  • 41. Tel Aviv University
  • 42. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
  • 43. Ilia State University
  • 44. River Communities Group, The River Laboratory
  • 45. University of Sarajevo
  • 46. Hellenic Centre of Marine Research
  • 47. Bowburn Consultancy
  • 48. Ankara University
  • 49. University of Zagreb
  • 50. Central Michigan University
  • 51. Crop Research Institute
  • 52. Ss. Cyril and Methodius University in Skopje
  • 53. Universita degli Studi di Milano
  • 54. ARGE Limnologie GesmbH
  • 55. Estonian Research Council
  • 56. Institutul National de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Delta Dunarii
  • 57. Institute of Environmental Science
  • 58. Estonian University of Life Sciences
  • 59. Pensoft Publishers Ltd
  • 60. Charles University
  • 61. Ruder Broskovic Institute
  • 62. University of Turku
  • 63. National Institute of Oceanography
  • 64. National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station
  • 65. Universidade de Lisboa
  • 66. Naturalis Biodiversity Center
  • 67. National Museum of Natural History
  • 68. Swedish Species Information Centre
  • 69. Nature Research Centre
  • 70. University of Gothenburg
  • 71. University of Innsbruck
  • 72. Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC)
  • 73. Spygen
  • 74. MTA Centre for Ecological Research, Danube Research Institute
  • 75. Cyprus University of Technology
  • 76. University of Cantabria
  • 77. Imperial College London
  • 78. Norwegian Veterinary Institute
  • 79. Polish Academy of Sciences
  • 80. Aarhus University
  • 81. Botanic Garden and Botanical Museum

Description

The protection, preservation and restoration of aquatic ecosystems and their functions are of global importance. For European states it became legally binding mainly through the EU-Water Framework Directive (WFD). In order to assess the ecological status of a given water body, aquatic biodiversity data are obtained and compared to a reference water body. The quantified mismatch obtained determines the extent of potential management actions. The current approach to biodiversity assessment is based on morpho-taxonomy. This approach has many drawbacks such as being time consuming, limited in temporal and spatial resolution, and error-prone due to the varying individual taxonomic expertise of the analysts. Novel genomic tools can overcome many of the aforementioned problems and could complement or even replace traditional bioassessment. Yet, a plethora of approaches are independently developed in different institutions, thereby hampering any concerted routine application. The goal of this Action is to nucleate a group of researchers across disciplines with the task to identify gold-standard genomic tools and novel eco-genomic indices for routine application in biodiversity assessments of European fresh- and marine water bodies. Furthermore, DNAqua-Net will provide a platform for training of the next generation of European researchers preparing them for the new technologies. Jointly with water managers, politicians, and other stakeholders, the group will develop a conceptual framework for the standard application of eco-genomic tools as part of legally binding assessments.

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