eDNAqua-Plan Fact Sheet: Recommendations for a federated system of taxonomically curated reference libraries

Species identification from environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing critically depends on the availability and quality of reference sequences to which to compare the obtained environmental sequences. For eDNA-based taxonomic identification to be routinely implemented in aquatic monitoring programs, these taxonomic assignments should be undertaken with quality-controlled and taxonomically curated reference libraries to minimise erroneous identifications. These reference libraries should additionally be easy to find and reuse. The eDNAqua-Plan deliverable report D3.1 outlines a federated network of curated reference libraries to support reproducible and reliable molecular aquatic biodiversity monitoring in Europe and beyond.