Integrated Monitoring of Parasites in Changing Environments (IMPACT)
Biodiversa+IMPACT
Duration: 2024-2026 Current Phase: Phase I
Summary:
IMPACT aims to support the integration of parasites into aquatic biodiversity monitoring directives and environmental decision making. Specifically, IMPACT will determine the spatial-temporal status and long-term trends of European freshwater fish parasite biodiversity; establish a specimen and molecular barcode reference library to future-proof the identification of freshwater fish parasites; evaluate eDNA as an integrative tool for assessing fish parasite diversity in aquatic biodiversity monitoring; and gain knowledge about stakeholders’ perceptions of parasites and their role in environmental governance. As a result, IMPACT will break down key barriers to the inclusion of parasites in transnational biodiversity and ecosystem change monitoring by co-developing a framework together with stakeholders to facilitate the inclusion of parasites in national and international biodiversity management and conservation strategies.
Work-package
In which LeeseLab is Involved
WP3 Critically evaluate eDNA as an integrative tool for assessing fish parasite diversity in aquatic biodiversity monitoring
The goal of this work is to evaluate if and to what degree environmental DNA (eDNA) can provide a holistic overview of fish parasite communities using helminths as our parasite model. Through indoor experiments and field sampling our goal is to evaluate which parasite taxa are detectable using eDNA and to what degree they match the expected diversity. Additionally, with field sampling performed continuously each month, we want to evaluate if detected parasite communities match the historical evidence and expected seasonal variability. The aim of this work is also to find the optimal conditions for parasite detection by evaluating different sample types (water vs. sediment), various filter types and filter pore sizes and also different water volumes. Finally, throughout the course of the project we aim to develop new, eDNA-suited primers for detecting parasites and fill up the gap in public reference databases.
People involved:
Kamil Hupało,
Florian Leese,
Bernd Sures (Aquatic Ecology group @UDE),
Daniel Grabner (Aquatic Ecology group @UDE)