Next generation DNA Tools for Informed Conservation and Management

Biodiversity in Europe is in crisis: nearly 60% of European species have experienced population declines in recent decades, and over 80% of habitats within the EU are currently classified as being in poor condition. In this context of rapid global change, it is essential that we develop efficient and accurate tools to capture the spatio-temporal dynamics of biodiversity in order to inform effective management and mitigation strategies. While species richness remains the most commonly used metric for tracking biodiversity change, biodiversity itself is a complex, multidimensional construct—encompassing genetic, taxonomic, phylogenetic, and ecological components. Integrating all of these dimensions with traditional monitoring methods is logistically and technically challenging, as it requires multiple sampling approaches across a wide range of taxa and ecosystems. In this seminar, I will present research from my team demonstrating how the analysis of DNA sequences found in the environment (eDNA) offers a powerful and scalable solution for ecosystem surveillance. Our work shows how eDNA can be used to efficiently monitor biodiversity across levels of biological organization, from single genes to entire ecological communities, offering new opportunities for holistic and cost-effective ecosystem assessment in the face of accelerating environmental change.