Preparating the upscaling and replication of an advanced smart system for targeted IAS monitoring and life trapping with bycatch prevention
Muskrat (photo Rollin Verlinde - vildaphoto)
Details
LIFE SMART IAS is a TA-R (technical assistance - replication) project that expands and continues a former LIFE project, "LIFE MICA" (LIFE18NAT/NL/001047, between 2019 and 2023). The main objective of LIFE MICA was the conception and development of an innovative system for the identification, tracking and life catch of invasive alien species (IAS), and applying and evaluating the system for 2 IAS that proliferate particularly in The Netherlands, Belgium and Northwest Germany: coypu and muskrat. The project aggregates several technical components: a PCR based eDNA sampling protocol for species identification and tracking, an AI enhanced smart trap for life catch, and an online data base, information system and apps for the insertion and consultation of tracking and catching information. All these technological components achieved a prototype status. LIFE SMART IAS has as objective to facilitate and enable the upscaling or replication of the LIFE MICA results after the project’s termination. Specifically, the project aims at improving and finishing all technological components listed above. “Replication” of the project is defined as “other stakeholders use the system for tracking and catching the same IAS coypu and muskrat”, while “upscaling” is defined as “adapting the system by other stakeholders for tracking and catching other IAS and/or non-IAS”. In order to achieve that goal, the project will not only improve and round up the technological components, but also prepare all complementary elements that facilitate replication and upscaling, including: an installable system package; user, operation and training manuals; a system console (SW); an “Upscaling Guide” for the adaptation of the system for other species. Finally, the project will implement an ambitious dissemination & communication plan that will create a significant level of awareness of the LIFE SMART IAS system among potentially interested uptakers in Europe.| Status | Running |
|---|---|
| Actual start/end date | 04/02/2025 - 04/02/2028 |
Teams
INBO Research theme(s)
- Water
- Invasive species
Tags
- edna
- ias
- invasive
- monitoring
- monitoring
- monitoring
