GeMonA+ – Development of a genetic module as a contribution to a holistic biodiversity monitoring in Austria
Efficient and informative biodiversity monitoring for the early detection of changes in species diversity is essential in order to counteract the progressive decline of species and to evaluate the effectiveness of the activities carried out.
Traditional monitoring is very labour- and time-intensive and requires the participation of numerous experts. Therefore, the GeMonA+ project is developing an efficient and scalable monitoring concept based on molecular genetic methods.
The GeMonA+ project, funded by the Austrian Biodiversity Fund, addresses two fields:
(1) Metabarcoding of insects from trap catches
(2) Identification of flower/plant visitors via eDNA
GeMonA+ is intended to make a significant contribution to the standardization of biodiversity surveys in Austria and beyond by developing a monitoring module that is based on molecular genetic methods and can be used in different habitats. In the project, this monitoring module will be applied over two seasons at 7 selected locations of different habitat types. Additionally a proof of concept will be carried out.
In a preliminary project, samples were collected at the selected locations in 2023, which means that data from two seasons can be included in the project despite its short duration.
The project is carried out by a consortium of ABOL partners from 6 Austrian universities (Univ. Graz (Lead), Innsbruck, Salzburg, Vienna, BOKU and Vetmed) and the Natural History Museum Vienna (ABOL); other institutions are also involved.
Projektteam
Dr. Christian Sturmbauer (Univ. Graz, Lead)
Dr. Christoph Hahn (Univ. Graz)
Dr. Harald Meimberg (BOKU Vienna)
Dr. Bettina Thalinger (Univ. Innsbruck)
Dr. Michael Traugott (Univ. Innsbruck)
Dr. Irmgard Krisai-Greilhuber (Univ. Vienna)
Dr. Andreas Tribsch (Univ. Salzburg)
Dr. Nikolaus Szucsich (NHM Vienna)
Oliver Macek, MSc. (NHM Vienna)
Dr. Michaela Sonnleitner (NHM Vienna)
Projektpartner:
National park Gesäuse
Nationa park Neusiedlersee
National park Kalkalpen
National park Hohe Tauern
Environment Agency Austria (UBA)
BFI
Botanical Garden, University of Vienna
Project status: active
This project is funded by the Austrian Biodiversity Fund of the Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology.
Latest News
M. SonnleitnerGEO Day of Biodiversity in South Carinthia17. July, 2024 - 15:04On the first weekend in July, the ABOL-BioBlitz was a guest at the GEO Day of Biodiversity in the Geopark Karawanken, this year for the first time in southern Carinthia. After the welcome and introductory words in Bleiburg, the Globasnitzbachtal was investigated in the afternoon and evening of the first day. There was something for […]
N. Fial10 years ÖEG insect camp17. July, 2024 - 11:09Parallel to the Day of Biodiversity in the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald, ABOL was represented for the third time at the ÖEG insect camp from June 6th to 9th. Like ABOL, the insect camp also celebrated its 10th anniversary this year, and this year it took place in the Karwendel Nature Reserve in Tyrol. On this […]
M. SonnleitnerThe first ABOL BioBlitzes 202416. July, 2024 - 16:32Thanks to the Biodiversity Fund projects ABOL-RefDat and GeMonA+, our ABOL team at the Natural History Museum Vienna grew at the beginning of 2024 and the first BioBlitzes were a good opportunity to support data collection and networking in the biodiversity community. This year’s Day of Biodiversity of the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald took place in […]
