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Metabarcoding-Symposium 2026

Highlights, Meetings, Veranstaltungen, Workshops

Launch of an Austrian eDNA Community

The Metabarcoding Symposium, held on 17 and 18 September 2026 at the Natural History Museum Vienna, was not only a platform for professional exchange, but also marked the beginning of an Austrian eDNA community (provisionally: OeDNA). The symposium was organised by the ABOL coordination team together with Bettina Thalinger (WasserCluster Lunz) and Christoph Hahn (University of Graz).

In recent years, eDNA and metabarcoding have developed rapidly and are increasingly moving towards large-scale and practical applications. At the same time, the community in Austria remains relatively fragmented. With OeDNA, we therefore aim to bring researchers, practitioners, public authorities, and companies closer together, foster exchange, and advance topics of shared interest.

If you are interested in joining, you can sign up via the following link and stay informed:

https://forms.gle/zZMczhC1zuUqERRQA

Strong Interest in the Metabarcoding Symposium

Interest in the Metabarcoding Symposium was overwhelming: the event reached full capacity within a very short time.
On the first day, participants were presented with a diverse programme covering different aspects of eDNA and metabarcoding. Talks ranged from current scientific developments and the importance of reference data to examples from applied projects and questions surrounding standardisation.

Companies, as important partners throughout the entire process, were also given the opportunity to present their work and expertise. We hope this programme reflected the diverse interests and backgrounds of the participants.

Special thanks go to our two keynote speakers, Bernd Hänfling (UHI Inverness) and Henrik Krehenwinkel (University of Trier), for their inspiring and impressive presentations. They showcased the wide range of possibilities offered by eDNA and metabarcoding in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Another highlight of the first day was the extensive panel discussion. Representatives from science, public authorities, and applied practice discussed experiences, opportunities, and challenges associated with the use of eDNA and metabarcoding. The discussion raised numerous questions that will be further explored and addressed collectively within the emerging OeDNA community.
Standardisation is one of this key topics. In some areas, standards have already been established, for example within the framework of LTER. These are based on scientific studies and projects such as GeMonA+ and can serve as an example for implementing eDNA and metabarcoding methods in other fields of application. Companies such as Spcfy are also already offering solutions for standardised analysis pipelines.

On the second day of the event, participants had the opportunity to explore one approach to a bioinformatics pipeline for analysing metabarcoding data in a hands-on workshop. Fifty participants took part and worked through the individual steps of this complex process. In addition to the technical analysis, considerable attention was also given to the interpretation of the resulting data.

We are delighted with the success of the event and would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed. We look forward to seeing strong interest in OeDNA and to continuing the exchange within this emerging community.

Photos: M. Sonnleitner, B. Thalinger

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Get-together in the Dinosaur Hall, NHMW

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - marketplace of companies: Sinsoma

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - marketplace of companies: AIM and Spcfy

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Keynote Bernd Hänfling, UHI

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - talk N. Szucsich, ABOL Coordination

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Interpretation of Results, B. Thalinger

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Keynote H. Krehenwinkl, Univ. Trier

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - talk LTER, L. Reiss

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Panel Discussion, Moderator: B. Thalinger

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Welcome by K. Vohland, GD NHM

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - Oragnisation team

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - workshop: lead: C. Hahn, Univ. Graz

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - talk by D. Rabl and A. Ceta, Environment Agency Austria

Metabarcoding Symposium NHMW 2026 - talk B. Thalinger, WCL

24. September, 2026/by Michaela Sonnleitner

ABOL-BioBlitzes 2026 – from the river plain to the summit

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights, Veranstaltungen

A look back at a successful ABOL field season 2026!

Since 2019, the ABOL coordination team has been actively involved in the various Days of Biodiversity, conducting ABOL BioBlitz surveys. These surveys generate DNA barcodes and familiarize experts with this methodological approach. This year’s Days of Biodiversity were once again very popular. Thanks to the numerous dedicated experts, many species were documented, and there was also lively participation in the ABOL BioBlitzes.

This year’s events covered a wide range of habitats – from lowlands with dry grasslands, meadows and forests to the highest elevations with fens and alpine grasslands.

The season started on June 12th and 13th in the Wienerwald Biosphere Reserve in Vienna’s district Penzing. More than 100 experts recorded a total of 1,455 species in dry grasslands, meadows, and forests of the hilly zone. Despite the changeable weather, this event was a great success. At the subsequent Biodiversity Festival, young and old alike were able to experience geology, nature conservation, and biodiversity firsthand. At the ABOL information stand, visitors learned about the possibilities of genetic methods for species identification.

Similar site conditions prevailed at the following Geo-Day at Simon Hof in Mittertrixen, Carinthia. Although the ABOL coordination team couldn’t be there in person, participants were still offered the opportunity to contribute tissue samples for DNA barcodes. We received very positive feedback from the event, where no effort was spared to survey biodiversity on an actively managed farm on June 27th and 28th. Deciduous forests, ponds, and rocky habitats invited biodiversity exploration. The approximately 40 researchers recorded 850 species.

Two Days of Biodiversity took place simultaneously on the second weekend of July. From July 10th to 12th, Day of Biodiversity was held in the Tyrolean part of the Hohe Tauern National Park in the Debant Valley. The wide altitudinal range – from the montane to the alpine zone – was reflected in the high number of species. In fantastic weather, approximately 60 researchers documented around 2,400 observations. The habitats could not have been more diverse – from larch and Swiss pine forests to pastures, alpine meadows, scree slopes, spring meadows, fens, and an alpine lake, everything was represented. This enormous diversity also led to numerous samples for generating DNA barcodes.

Simultaneously, on July 10th and 11th, the Geo-Day of Biodiversity took place in the Untere Lavant European Protected Area. There, the focus was on hilly riparian zones, floodplain forests, oxbow lakes, ravine and slope mixed forests, and grasslands. With great effort – not all participants stayed dry – the species composition was also recorded there. Approximately 45 researchers were able to identify just under 1,000 species.

The GEO-Day of Biodiversity in the Nockberge Biosphere Reserve on July 17th and 18th marked the culmination of the ABOL BioBlitzes. Biodiversity was surveyed around Lake Falkert at altitudes between approximately 1,300 and 2,000 meters. The area is characterized by alpine pastures, larch and Swiss pine forests, near-natural stream headwaters, and Lake Falkert itself. Around 35 researchers documented an estimated 735 species.

The results of this year’s Days of Biodiversity demonstrate once again the value of collaboration among dedicated experts in recording biodiversity and how this collaboration can also facilitate the DNA barcode reference database. A heartfelt thank you goes to all the organizers and participants who contributed to the success of the events.

You can find more information and highlights here:

Tag der Artenvielfalt: Auf Entdeckungstour in Wien-Penzing | Biosphärenpark Wienerwald
20 Jahre Tage der Artenvielfalt – nationalparksaustria.at | DE

Impressions (Photos by M. Sonnleitner, J. Heinzl, N. Szucsich):

Biosphere reserve Nockberge - lake Falkert, Carinthia;

GEO day of biodiversity; Untere Lavant, Carinthia;

NP Hohe Tauern - Debant valley; photo: M. Sonnleitner

27. July, 2026/by Michaela Sonnleitner

GEO day of Biodiversity, Karawanken, Mittagskogel.

M. Sonnleitner

Autumnal ABOL BioBlitz in the Karawanks

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights

On September 19 and 20, the GEO Day of Biodiversity, originally scheduled for July, took place on the northern flank of the Mittagskogel in the Karawanks. For many species groups, the peak in species abundance is certainly already over by this time, but others, such as fungi, benefit from this, or different species are found than in summer. This enabled the approximately 50 experts to record over 1,000 species for the study area in 24 hours.

In wonderful weather and equipped with various trapping and mapping tools, the experts fanned out. iNaturalist was also used to report species: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/geo-tag-der-artenvielfalt-mittagskogel. On the first day, we focused on the lower elevated, relatively near-natural mixed beech forests. Despite the late season, a few flying insects were observed in the sunny spots along the road. On the second day, the higher elevations were explored, starting from the Bertahütte. Some ambitious researchers even made it to the summits. In the late afternoon, everyone met again at the base in Finkenstein for a final debriefing and an assessment of the species found over coffee and cake.

For ABOL, it is always a benefit to participate in these events – in addition to our own collecting activities, it is especially the conversations with “old” partners and new contacts that are enjoyable and strengthen and expand the ABOL network in Austria. We would like to thank the organizers, especially E.C.O. and the Ökoteam, for allowing us to participate again, and for the successful event overall!

Impressions (Photos: M. Sonnleitner):

GEO day of Biodiversity, Karawanken, Mittagskogel. Dryopteris filix-mas

1. October, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

M. Sonnleitner

ABOL-BioBlitz at Hohe Tauern National park

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights

Fortunately, the weather in the Hohe Tauern was kind to us this year, from July 18-20, 2025. At the National Park’s Day of Biodiversity, in the Gradental and Gartltal valleys in Carinthia, not only was the weather record-breaking, but so was the number of participating experts, with almost 100 registrations.

Many were already out in the field on Friday, searching for species. In the evening, nocturnal insects were attracted using light traps, photographed, identified, and recorded on Observation.org. Shortly after the light was set, over 160 species of moths from the study area were already registered on Observation.org!

While the majority of the researchers visited the Gradental valley on Saturday—a high valley that extends southwest from the Mölltal and is surrounded by 3,000-meter peaks—we, the ABOL delegation, explored the Gartltal valley to the south. The tall herbs along the forest clearings, with Heracleum, Filipendula, thistles, and other flowering perennials, were particularly interesting and productive in terms of insects. Further up, subalpine larch forest and grasslands rich in Nardus with characteristic silicate flora followed. The fens near Fleckmoos at about 2000 m were also very attractive and rich in flowers. In the late afternoon, we were picked up by the shuttle bus from the parking lot in Ranach. As usual, the transport was very well organized. We were back in the valley just in time before the thunderstorm.

On Sunday morning, the majority of the participants met in Döllach for the closing presentation. In addition to various contributions, the experts presented interesting species they had discovered – from the first record of a cave cricket in the area to the luminous moss, which is often found in semi-caves.

After the final group photo, most of the participants headed home.

From ABOL’s perspective, these opportunities are ideal for connecting with taxonomists—from long-time acquaintances to the many young participants. The one or other DNA barcode references from these biodiversity days will also contribute to filling the DNA database. We thank the organizers for their commitment and everyone who participates in the ABOL BioBlitz.

Impressions (Photos: M. Sonnleitner):

28. July, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

N. Fial

ABOL at the ÖEG Insect Camp in the Nature Park Hohe Wand

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights

For the fourth time (in a row), ABOL participated in the 11^th ÖEG Insect Camp from June 26^th to 29^th with a BioBlitz. This time, the trip took us to the Hohe Wand Nature Park in Lower Austria – a biogeographically highly interesting region on the northeastern edge of the Alps, where the Pannonian and Alpine climates converge, enabling a great diversity of species.

This year, around 50 participants were present – including numerous experts from a wide variety of animal groups, who recorded biodiversity at 25 sample plots. The numerous plots offered a broad spectrum: species-rich hay meadows, pine forests, caves, steep cliffs, scree slopes, dry grasslands, extensive sheep and cattle pastures, clear-cut successional vegetation, and even ibex, sika deer, and llama enclosures.

To mark the occasion, we once again presented our DNA reference database and invited all participants to collaborate.
Thanks to the almost perfect June weather, there was plenty of insect-related activity – only a thunderstorm on the day of our arrival put a damper on our plans. Early after breakfast, all the entomologists, armed with nets, exhausters, and leaf blowers, headed out into the field during the day. Those tireless ones who still had energy after dinner either met up in the research room for some social preparation and identification or went outside to set up the light traps. With a bit of luck, you might even be greeted by curious young foxes.

At the end of the day, thanks to the good weather, it was once again possible to hold a barbecue, where a few fireflies also joined us. A particular highlight for us were three relatively hard-to-find puff flies (Acroceridae), all of which were found on the same day.

Overall, it was once again a very productive insect camp, where we had the opportunity to exchange professional information in a relaxed atmosphere and bring the entomological community closer together. We would like to thank the coordinators Betty Glatzhofer and Samuel Messner and the team of the Hohe Wand Nature Park for the organization and are eagerly awaiting the results of the evaluation!

Impressios (Photos N. Fial):

14. July, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

M. Sonnleitner

ABOL at the Day of Biodiversity in Baden bei Wien

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights

On June 13 and 14, 2025, the Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald organized its 20th Day of Biodiversity– this year in the Lower Austrian part of the biosphere reserve around Baden bei Wien. Around 100 experts from various disciplines explored the diverse flora, fauna, and funga of the area from the Kurpark to the Lindkogel. In perfect weather conditions, numerous fascinating observations were made, and an impressive number of over 1,700 species were documented.
As in previous years, the primary goal was to record as many animal, plant, and fungal species as possible within 24 hours, thus collecting valuable data for nature conservation in the biosphere reserve. A diverse program for visitors was also offered: night hikes, guided excursions, and a “Festival of Biodiversity” on June 14 in the Kurpark, where interested guests could learn about nature and species conservation at numerous information booths.
ABOL was also there: On June 13, our team was out in the field collecting samples for DNA barcoding, and on June 14, we had an information booth available for questions. We had many interesting discussions about the role of DNA barcoding in biodiversity monitoring and nature conservation – and, last but not least, make new contacts and deepen existing collaborations.

A big thank you goes to the organizing team for the excellent preparation and execution of this successful event!

Impressions (photos by N. Szucsich, V. Kargl, M. Sonnleitner)

3. July, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

Days of Biodiversity ´25 – a review

Highlights, Meetings, Veranstaltungen

The Days of Biodiversity ’25, which ABOL once again has co-organized, are over. Our thanks go to our co-organizers Biodiversity Hub, BOKU, ZooBot, NOBIS, University of Vienna and NHM Vienna for the smooth cooperation. First and foremost, however, we would like to thank all participants for inspiring lectures, interactive workshops and lively discussion rounds.

Under the motto “Together on the way out of the biodiversity crisis”, the focus was on the challenges associated with the global decline in biodiversity and possible solution strategies. Around 500 experts, researchers and interested parties came together to discuss current developments and sustainable paths for the future.

38 sessions focused on the latest scientific findings and the development of practical solutions. National and international experts from the fields of nature conservation, research and practice presented innovative approaches to actively counteract the loss of biodiversity. One of the many highlights was a panel discussion on the Austrian Biodiversity Policy Barometer 2024, in which representatives from politics, science, agriculture and the Austrian Biodiversity Council debated the most pressing challenges and solutions. The importance of joint efforts and interdisciplinary cooperation was particularly emphasized.

ABOL celebrated the 10th anniversary of the ABOL initiative with its own session, a review of the development of molecular methods in species identification, an outlook on future directions and a series of interesting lectures on ABOL projects and monitoring approaches.

In addition to the professional exchange, there was plenty of time and space for networking. The great response and consistently positive feedback from participants underline the success of the event and confirm the need for joint initiatives. The Days of Biodiversity ’25 have impressively shown that effective measures to counteract the loss of biodiversity can only be implemented through close cooperation at local, national and international levels.

We would like to thank everyone involved for their valuable contributions and commitment and look forward to continued successful cooperation on the way to a more sustainable future!

To the conference-website ->HERE (in German only)

Impressions from the conference:

Days of Biodiversity 25, Icebreaker at NHM Vienna

Days of Biodiversity 25 - panel discussion

Days-of-biodiversity 25 - Keynote J. Settele

20250225_Days-of-Biodiversity_Ice_Breaker_Chloe_Potter_NHMW_061

5. March, 2025/by Michaela Sonnleitner

M. Sonnleitner

GEO Day of Biodiversity in South Carinthia

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights

On 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 everyone there – stream, forests, and also wonderful species-rich meadows that made botanists and entomologists’ hearts beat faster. On the second day, the high elevations of the Petzen were the target of the species survey. Equipped with cameras, nets, tubes, etc., the cable car took us to the study area. The sunny weather provided good conditions for the species search, only the wind in exposed locations was a bit of a hindrance. Due to the geological peculiarities and the southern influence, the region is particularly species-rich and therefore extremely exciting for all researchers. Initial estimates have already shown that around 1200 species have been found, which is an impressive number. The success is due not least to the large number of around 90 participating scientists, as well as the perfect organization of the event by the state of Carinthia, the Ökoteam and E.C.O.

We would like to thank you very much for allowing us to be there again, for the great food, the pretty t-shirts and the opportunity to meet friends and colleagues as well as new people.

We would like to call on collectors to contact us if they would like to provide samples of arthropods for DNA barcoding!

17. July, 2024/by Michaela Sonnleitner

N. Fial

10 years ÖEG insect camp

ABOL BioBlitz, Highlights, Veranstaltungen

Parallel 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 occasion, all participants were surprised with lovingly designed T-shirts. With a smile and a tear in her eye, the ÖEG youth officer Elisabeth Huber ceremoniously handed over the organization of the camp to Elisabeth Glatzhofer and Samuel Messner.

Around 40 experts and aspiring young entomologists collected various arthropod groups on 13 sample areas. Butterflies, beetles, cicadas, hymenoptera, bugs, flies, millipedes and the like were well represented due to the good weather. The sample areas were as diverse as the taxa collected themselves. Among others, coniferous forests, alpine pastures, ponds, alpine limestone grasslands, high alpine scree slopes and the river bank along the Isar were examined.

In short we presented our new Biodiversity Fund project RefDat and invited all participants to join the project. All interested parties could then pick up tubes prepared by our team for sampling the collected material.

Early in the morning, with full stomachs, a wide range of utensils and mostly ideal weather, the groups fanned out to the study area. After dinner, they met in the restaurant and prepared and identified in a relaxed atmosphere until late into the night. During this time, the opportunity was taken to exchange profound information and make new contacts. All the brave and bright ones went out to light up the night thunderstorms to catch moths with light traps at the end of the day.

We would like to thank the ÖEG team and the Karwendel Nature Park team for the great catering and organization and especially Elisabeth Huber for her many years of commitment! We are eagerly awaiting the results of the data analysis as well as the results of our DNA samples.

Impressions (photos: N. Fial, N. Szucsich):

17. July, 2024/by Michaela Sonnleitner

TdA Biosphere Reserve Wienerwald - Vienna-Liesing

M. Sonnleitner

The first ABOL BioBlitzes 2024

ABOL BioBlitz, Citizen Science, Highlights, Veranstaltungen

Thanks 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 Vienna-Liesing, at the same time part of the ABOL team traveled to the ÖEG insect camp in the Karwendel Nature Reserve.

On the occasion of the City Nature Challenge, an excursion to the Vienna-Liesing study area around Himmelswiese started at the end of April. Some species were already recorded there and on the Days of Biodiversity on June 8th and 9th this list of species was further expanded. In ideal weather conditions, which only made catching insects difficult due to occasional gusts of wind, we went along forest paths and extensive meadows to different types of water. The bright expert T-shirts meant that we kept meeting interested visitors or experts from other species groups, which led to nice conversations.

At the Biodiversity Festival, we shared an information stand with the Mycological Society, which was packed thanks to the favorable mushroom weather beforehand!

The Day of Biodiversity came to a cozy end at a nearby wine tavern, to which all experts were invited. A big thank you to the organizing team, as always it was a great experience that ran smoothly!

Impressions (photos: M. Sonnleitner)

16. July, 2024/by Michaela Sonnleitner

Metabarcoding-Symposium 2026

Launch of an Austrian eDNA Community

Strong Interest in the Metabarcoding Symposium

ABOL-BioBlitzes 2026 – from the river plain to the summit

A look back at a successful ABOL field season 2026!

Autumnal ABOL BioBlitz in the Karawanks

ABOL-BioBlitz at Hohe Tauern National park

ABOL at the ÖEG Insect Camp in the Nature Park Hohe Wand

ABOL at the Day of Biodiversity in Baden bei Wien

Days of Biodiversity ´25 – a review

GEO Day of Biodiversity in South Carinthia

10 years ÖEG insect camp

The first ABOL BioBlitzes 2024

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