Conservation Planning and Reporting Implications of qPCR-based Multi-species eDNA Detection Under EU Environmental...

Area of Science:

• Environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis
• Freshwater ecology
• Conservation biology

Background:

• EU legislation mandates monitoring of endangered species (Habitats Directive) and invasive alien species (IAS) (Regulation 1143/2014).
• Water Framework Directive (WFD) also requires freshwater ecosystem assessments.
• Quantitative PCR (qPCR) eDNA offers a sensitive, cost-effective monitoring tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of qPCR eDNA for simultaneous monitoring of endangered species, IAS, and other relevant freshwater organisms.
• To develop novel scoring systems (PPS, PES, BIFS) for prioritizing conservation and management interventions.
• To support EU Member States' reporting obligations under relevant legislation.

Main Methods:

• A qPCR eDNA survey was conducted at 53 central-Italian freshwater sites.
• The survey targeted 11 endangered species, 4 IAS, 1 pathogen, and 1 translocated fish.
• Three site-specific scores were calculated: Prioritizing Protection Score (PPS), Prioritizing Eradication Score (PES), and Benthic Invertebrates and Fish Score (BIFS).

Main Results:

• PPS identified 39 sites for Natura 2000 designation, supporting the EU's 30% protected land target.
• PES highlighted 22 sites for IAS eradication and management.
• BIFS indicated 33 sites benefiting from eDNA surveys for freshwater assessments.
• 53 new grid cells of occurrence for IAS and protected species were identified.

Conclusions:

• qPCR eDNA surveys are effective for monitoring diverse freshwater species and informing conservation strategies.
• The developed scoring systems provide valuable tools for prioritizing interventions and supporting EU biodiversity policy.
• New occurrence data will aid future reporting for the Habitats Directive and IAS Regulation.