The eDNAqua-Plan project envisions a future digital ecosystem for DNA-based biodiversity data, tailored to meet the rigorous demands of EU environmental monitoring frameworks. This report provides targeted recommendations for integrating DNA-based monitoring into two key directives: the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD).
Both directives require transparent, comparable, and reproducible biomonitoring data across EU Member States. A critical challenge is ensuring stable taxonomic references—essential for consistency in assessments over time. For DNA-based systems, which rely on dynamic reference databases, this necessitates transparent versioning and documentation to maintain traceability and comparability.
By addressing these challenges, eDNAqua-Plan paves the way for a sustainable, interoperable, and policy-ready biodiversity DNA monitoring framework—empowering evidence-based environmental management across Europe and beyond.