Nature Restoration Law: eDNA standing waters for ARPLs amphibians

For aquatic species (dragonflies and amphibians), the applicability of Actual Relevant Potential Habitat (ARPL) is somewhat more limited. This is because the suitability of water bodies depends not only on structural and abiotic characteristics, but is also strongly determined by the presence or absence of native and non-native fish species. As this information is currently lacking in ARPL maps, and indeed in the maps of Potential Habitats, such assessments and the resulting delineation for amphibians are currently incomplete.
In addition, traditional monitoring methods are often labour-intensive and highly seasonal, and at low densities they may fail to accurately determine the presence or absence of species (both fish and amphibians). To better address this, it is proposed to use eDNA metabarcoding to map the amphibian and fish communities present in a series of representative water bodies and to add these to the Potential Habitat maps, which form the basis of the ARPLs. In combination with species-specific barcoding of amphibian habitat directive species, which are mapped in detail, a more accurate picture of the current habitats of these species will be obtained, and we will work towards the most optimal version of the ARPLs for amphibians. The eDNA samples are taken at existing species monitoring network locations. A power analysis at the start of the monitoring cycle will additionally determine whether additional locations are needed.