-
-Cosma.JPG/jcr:content/Pielach%20(c)%20Cosma.JPG "The photo shows an open, straight stretch of the Pielach with shrubs and perennials along the banks; trees are few and far between. In the background a residential area is visible. Insufficient shade due to the lack of riparian forests leads to increased warming of the river, particularly during heat waves and low water levels, and thus to potentially unsuitable living conditions, even when the river has good structural features.")
© BAW Research /Ramler zoom gallery -
-Cosma.JPEG/jcr:content/Pielach%20(c)%20Cosma.JPEG "The photo shows a near-natural section of the Pielach River, with deadwood in the river and accompanying riparian forest vegetation. The Pielach is still in good ecological condition in many sections, especially in its lower reaches. Combined with a solid data set and the prevalence of several fish regions, it is an ideal pilot stream.")
© BAW/Cosma zoom gallery -
-Konzett.jpg/jcr:content/Drohnenaufnahme%20Pielach(c)%20Konzett.jpg "The figure shows three drone images of the same section of the Pielach River, arranged in a cascade. The first image is a standard photograph, the second is an unprocessed thermal image, and the third is a processed thermal image showing clearly visible temperature differences. Through innovative methods such as thermal imaging to identify thermal refuges, the aim is to establish the foundations for a comprehensive climate change monitoring of fish populations.")
© BAW Research/Konzett zoom gallery -
© BAW zoom gallery
The implementation of the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) requires Austria to regularly assess the ecological status of its surface waters. The biological quality element “fish” is evaluated using the established assessment methods Austrian Lake Fish Index (ALFI) and Fish Index Austria (FIA). However, the conventional fishing surveys required for this purpose are very time-consuming, labor-intensive, and costly, meaning that complete survey cycles for large lakes can take up to 15 years, and many assessments are now outdated. In addition, some of the methods used can be harmful to fish populations.
Against this backdrop, the analysis of environmental DNA (eDNA) is gaining increasing importance as a non-invasive and efficient alternative. By analyzing DNA traces in water samples, fish species can be reliably detected. The eDNA-Screen project investigates the extent to which eDNA can be used as a screening method for fish ecological monitoring.
The goal is to develop and validate a standardized sampling, analysis, and evaluation protocol for lakes and flowing waters. Based on the fish species identified using eDNA, screening indices will be developed to detect changes in the fish community at an early stage. If the results of the screening show a significant difference from previous conventional sampling and calculations, targeted, standardized fishing surveys will still be necessary to obtain a more precise assessment. If, on the other hand, the eDNA prescreening confirms the data, the previously established fish ecological assessment of the water body can be retained. In this way, a large number of water bodies can ultimately be screened cost-effectively or, if necessary, sampled efficiently using standardized methods.