Environmental DNA (eDNA) is revolutionizing aquatic biodiversity monitoring, but its full potential is limited by fragmented data governance, inconsistent metadata, and poor interoperability. These challenges hinder data discoverability, reuse, and integration across ecosystems and jurisdictions.
Through Task 3.2, eDNAqua-Plan addresses these barriers by aligning metadata standards across the entire eDNA workflow—from sampling to bioinformatics. Stakeholder-driven evaluations identified key metadata elements for standardization, balancing quality and reporting feasibility.
Key Outcomes:
- Two alignment models (using SSSOM) to bridge critical standards:
- GBIF/OBIS DNA-derived extension ↔ GSC MIxS Core
- Barcode Core Data Model (BOLD) ↔ MIxS Core
- Actionable recommendations to improve traceability, provenance, and compliance with frameworks like the Nagoya Protocol and BBNJ
- Governance insights to ensure long-term sustainability, coordination, and adaptability of standards
This deliverable provides immediate tools and a roadmap to transition from today’s fragmented landscape to a harmonised, interoperable, and FAIR-compliant eDNA digital ecosystem. By strengthening metadata interoperability, eDNAqua-Plan supports the EU Mission: Restore our Ocean and Waters, the Green Deal, and directives such as the Marine Strategy Framework and the Water Framework Directive, thereby enabling reliable, large-scale biodiversity monitoring and evidence-based policy.