Project description
Environmental DNA to monitor alluvial groundwaters
The extinction of over one million species poses a significant threat to freshwater systems, particularly groundwater ecosystems, which supply a substantial portion of the world’s drinking water. Urbanisation raises groundwater temperatures, endangering native species. However, research on groundwater biodiversity is limited. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the SUB-BIO-24 project will use environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to monitor biodiversity in alluvial groundwater ecosystems and link eDNA profiles to the functional traits of species. It will create cost-effective and accurate eDNA protocols and a functional biodiversity library for groundwater. Additionally, it will assess the impact of subsurface urban heat islands (SUHI) on groundwater communities, collaborating with experts from Austria, Denmark, Guatemala, and Solvenia.
Objective
Biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem stability and environmental health. The anticipated extinction of over one million species in the coming decades poses a grave threat to ecosystem functions and services, particularly in freshwater systems, which are among the most neglected in conservation efforts. Groundwater ecosystems, in particular, are critically overlooked, with less than 10% of known habitats globally protected. These ecosystems, which are highly biodiverse and rich in endemic species, provide the majority of the world's drinking water. However, their close connection to surface ecosystems makes them especially vulnerable to surface threats such as urbanization, which can raise groundwater temperatures by 3-4ºC. This urban heat island effect endangers groundwater species and the vital functions they support. Despite their importance, research on groundwater biodiversity remains limited due to the inaccessibility of these environments and the challenges posed by traditional sampling methods.
This proposal explores the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding to monitor biodiversity in alluvial groundwater ecosystems and link eDNA profiles to species' functional traits. By developing and refining eDNA protocols and building a functional biodiversity library for groundwaters, the research seeks to establish a cost-effective, accurate method for monitoring biological processes in groundwater. Additionally, the study will apply these protocols to assess the impact of subsurface urban heat islands (SUHI) on groundwater communities and their functional diversity. In collaboration with experts from Slovenia, Austria, Denmark, and Guatemala, this project aims to enhance our understanding and management of groundwater ecosystems, ensuring their long-term sustainability.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
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CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2024-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1000 LJUBLJANA
Slovenia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.