Implementation and legal issues of DNA-based monitoring

DNA-based methods are at the edge of being implemented into routine monitoring systems. WG5 aimed to develop implementation options for under a range environmental directives and legal frameworks, in particular Water Framework Directive (WFD), EU Marine Strategy Directive, UN SDGs, Global Biodiversity Assessment IPBES, CBD Nagoya Protocol on Access Benefit Sharing, digital sequence information genetic resources (DSI), Indicator Partnership, Essential Variables. It further starting standardisation process methods. In talk, we will give an overview all activities, with focus use WFD. Overall, suitability identification is particularly high fish, as eDNA well-suited sampling approach which can replace expensive potentially harmful For invertebrates phytobenthos, main challenges include modification indices completing barcode libraries. phytoplankton, libraries even more problematic, due taxonomic diversity plankton samples. If current assessment concepts kept, least appropriate macrophytes (rivers, lakes) angiosperms/macroalgae (transitional coastal waters), surveyed rather than sampled. We discuss opportunities implementing standard ecological assessment, considering any adaptations existing legislation that may be required facilitate transition using molecular data.