DNAquaIMG: Innovating transnational aquatic biodiversity monitoring using high-throughput DNA tools and automated image recognition

DNAquaIMG代表一个来自11个欧洲国家的跨学科联盟，该联盟在开发和实施用于淡水生物多样性监测的高通量分子和自动图像识别方法方面拥有国际领先的专业知识。在生态系统退化和恢复的背景下，这两种方法对生物多样性评估具有互补的好处：DNA元生物编码提供了很高的分类分辨率，并能够检测尚未描述的生物多样性。相反，基于图像的方法可以提供可靠的物种丰度、大小结构和生物量数据，但可能只能识别更粗略的分类分辨率的标本。这些互补的方法结合在一起，为从环境样本中极大地丰富生物多样性数据提供了机会。这两种方法都可以在很大程度上实现自动化，并产生公平的生物多样性数据。DNAquaIMG建议进一步开发、测试和统一基于DNA的生物多样性监测和基于图像的自动生物多样性评估，并就如何将这两种新的监测方法结合到欧洲水框架指令(EG/2000/60，WFD)的现有监测中提供路线图。作为一个关键的科学目标，DNAquaIMG解决了生物多样性如何从物种群落的遗传多样性水平变化到功能(性状)多样性与通过WFD常规生物监测评估的生态状况等级相关的问题。针对常规生物监测中最典型的评估指标组，即无脊椎动物和硅藻，我们将通过十个国家的WFD常规生物监测，根据生态状况类别的梯度收集样本，建立用例。我们将量化从高到好、中等、差或差状态等级恶化所导致的相应的生物多样性变化。同时，我们将产生河流恢复的数据，以评估生态质量等级的改善是否反映在生物多样性的增加上。这将通过评估所有群体的高分辨率物种多样性来实现，包括使用DNA元编码在形态上具有挑战性的分类群体中的隐蔽多样性，但也通过评估通过基于图像的方法推断的数量和功能特征数据来实现。通过这一项目，该项目还旨在确定新的生物多样性目标和可能为生态状况评估提供信息的相应指标。根据项目结果和利益攸关方协商，DNAquaIMG将制定一项战略，利用分子和图像方法改进生物多样性和生态系统变化的跨国监测。通过这一举措，DNAquaIMG将为产生更具包容性的生物多样性变化信息奠定基础，为有效的水生生物多样性和生态系统管理做出贡献，并支持欧洲绿色协议、欧洲生物多样性和联合国2020年后目标的实施。

DNAquaIMG represents an interdisciplinary consortium from 11 European countries that nucleates internationally leading expertise in the development and implementation of high-throughput molecular and automated image recognition methods for freshwater biodiversity monitoring. Both approaches hold complementary benefits to biodiversity assessments in the context of ecosystem degradation and restoration: DNA metabarcoding provides high taxonomic resolution and enables detection of yet undescribed biodiversity. In contrast, image-based methods can provide reliable species’ abundance, size structure and biomass data, but may only identify specimens to coarser taxonomic resolution. Combined, these complementary approaches offer an opportunity for greatly enriched biodiversity data from environmental samples. Both approaches can be automated to a large extent and produce FAIR biodiversity data. DNAquaIMG proposes to further develop, test and harmonize DNA-based biodiversity monitoring and automated image-based biodiversity assessment and to provide a roadmap on how to implement these two novel monitoring approaches in combination into the existing monitoring context of the European Water Framework Directive (EG/2000/60, WFD). As a key scientific objective DNAquaIMG addresses how biodiversity change from the level of genetic diversity over species communities to functional (trait) diversity correlates with the ecological status class assessed through WFD routine biomonitoring. Targeting the most typically assessed indicator groups in routine biomonitoring, i.e. invertebrates and diatoms, we will build use-cases on samples collected along a gradient of ecological status class through WFD routine biomonitoring in ten countries. We will quantify the corresponding biodiversity change that results from a deterioration from a high to a good, moderate, poor or a bad status class. Concomitantly, we will produce data from stream restoration in to assess if the improvement of ecological quality class is reflected in biodiversity increase. This will be achieved by assessing high-resolution species diversity across all groups, including cryptic diversity in morphologically challenging taxonomic groups using DNA-metabarcoding, but also by assessing quantitative and functional trait data inferred via image-based methods. Through this, the project also aims to identify novel biodiversity targets and respective indicators that may inform ecological status assessments. Based on the project results and stakeholder consultations, DNAquaIMG will develop a strategy for improved transnational monitoring of biodiversity and ecosystem change using molecular and image-based methods. By this, DNAquaIMG will set a basis to generate more inclusive information on biodiversity change, contribute to effective aquatic biodiversity and ecosystem management, and support the implementation of the European Green Deal, the European Biodiversity and the UN post-2020 targets.