Topical collection "Towards standardized molecular biodiversity monitoring"

Collection

Submission deadline: 15 June 2024

Topical collection editors

Teresita Porter, John Darling, Kelly Goodwin, Tiina Laamanen, Kristian Meissner, Toshifumi Minamoto

Topical collection information

Genetic tools are well-established for both targeted and taxonomically broad biodiversity characterization; however, they are not yet widely applied beyond proof-of-concepts or pilot studies. To support biodiversity monitoring from small to global scale in environmental stewardship programs, especially as we face a climate emergency and biodiversity decline, we need standardized and robust workflows from field sampling to detection/sequencing to metrics to characterize biodiversity. Genetic methods including environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and metagenomics have proven particularly powerful in this context. Following the GEO BON 2023 Global Conference "Monitoring Biodiversity for Action”, this topical issue invites contributions that focus on the establishment of standards and best practices enabling upscaling of genetic methods to geographically extensive, long-term monitoring efforts. Submissions will be considered that explore standards at any stage in the monitoring workflow, from sampling strategy to bioinformatic analysis and interpretation/communication of genetic data. We particularly welcome contributions that consider issues of accessibility and inclusivity and investigate technology transfer to non-traditional end-users. Through a series of papers published, this topical issue will demonstrate how molecular methods can be standardized, automated and upscaled to be used for monitoring biodiversity in varied environmental settings.

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Topical collection "DNA and eDNA methods for bioassessment and monitoring: Steps towards formal implementation"

Collection

Topical collection editors

DNAqua-Net Working Group 5 leaders: Pieter Boets (Belgium), Daniel Hering (Germany), Patricia Mergen (Belgium)

Topical collection information

This DNAqua-Net topical issue edited by the leaders of Working Group 5 (Implementation and legal challenges) Pieter Boets (Belgium), Daniel Hering (Germany) and Patricia Mergen (Belgium) addresses chances and challenges of DNA based method implementation as part of legal bioassessment and monitoring programs. Defining standards for sampling, DNA analysis and bioinformatic processing of the data is crucial for implementation of DNA based biomonitoring with regard to the European Water Framework Directive, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and many other international directives such as the US and AU Clean Water Act and many more. For the special issues, we welcome contributions that provide such guidelines for implementation or standardised methods that could help to legally accept the method. We further encourage forum papers that discuss changes and challenges of DNA-based bioassessment for biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems for various perspectives or review papers that analyse the status quo of method implementation.

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Topical collection "Advances in DNA and eDNA-based biomonitoring: Field & lab methods"

Collection

Topical collection editors

DNAqua-Net Working Group 3 leaders: Kat Bruce (UK), Emre Keskin (Turkey) & DNAqua-Net Chair Florian Leese (Germany)

Topical collection information

This DNAqua-Net topical issue edited by the leaders of Working Group 3 (Field and lab protocols), Kat Bruce (UK) and Emre Keskin (Turkey), as well as DNAqua-Net Chair Florian Leese (Germany) welcomes submissions on DNA and environmental DNA metabarcoding and metagenomics with a focus on field and lab aspects. Manuscripts can present results on sample collection, preservation of material, comparison of sample volumes or materials used. Laboratory protocol comparisons including benchmarks of different methods, primer comparisons are as welcome as further articles comparing outcomes of different labelling and sequencing strategies. We also welcome submissions that deal with QA/QC in field and lab workflows and method standardisation.

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Topical collection "DNA barcode reference libraries for aquatic bioassessment and monitoring"

Collection

Topical collection editors

Fedor Čiampor (Slovakia), Torbjørn Ekrem (Norway), Alexander M. Weigand (Luxembourg)

Topical collection information

This DNAqua-Net topical issue edited by the leaders of Working Group 1 (DNA barcode references), Torbjørn Ekrem (Norway), Fedor Ciampor (Slovakia) and DNAqua-Net manager Alexander Weigand (Luxembourg) welcomes submissions on DNA and environmental DNA metabarcoding and metagenomics with a focus on the underlying reference databases. Undoubtly, DNA barcode reference libraries are of immense importance for correct identification of organisms using DNA barcoding and metabarcoding. We welcome contributions that focus on opportunities and challenges related to construction of reference databases and analysis of reference data. Furthermore, we welcome publications that provide and describe reference data for any organismal group.

Select this topical collection at the end of the submission process.