WINDNA: eDNA based solutions for biodiversity monitoring at offshore wind farms

The transition towards renewable energy may have substantial impact on marine ecosystems in the near future. Wind energy is planned to expand by a factor 10 in the North Sea region alone by 2050. The ambitious political objectives seek to shift from a "no net loss" (NNL) to a "marine net gain" (MNG) approach when licensing projects. Hence, there is a pressing need to document the impact of offshore wind on marine biodiversity. However, traditional methods are costly, labor-intensive, and lack both taxonomic and spatio-temporal resolution. The "WINDNA" project will evaluate the potential of environmental DNA (eDNA) and aim to provide new cost-effective and comprehensive marine biodiversity data. Key aspects involve examining the spatial and temporal scales of marine biodiversity using traditional water sampling by boat as well as an offshore-deployed automated environmental sample processor and an autonomous underwater vehicle (ESP2 and ESP3). Furthermore, "WINDNA" focuses on monitoring biodiversity changes during the early stages of artificial reef succession. The "WINDNA" project provides a pragmatic approach, aligning with environmental and political goals contributing to the sustainable growth of renewable energy while prioritizing positive biodiversity impact. The presentation will include preliminary data.