Joint Danube Survey 4 (JDS4)

The Joint Danube Survey 4 (JDS4) project is one of the largest-scale environmental monitoring programs coordinated by the ICPDR, aiming to assess the ecological status and biodiversity of the Danube River basin. Within the scope of this project, environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling was carried out along the Danube River through the Balkans and across the borders of six different countries using a standardized protocol. The project is particularly significant for evaluating the applicability of molecular-based biological monitoring methods in large transboundary river systems. The data obtained under JDS4, when compared with traditional biological monitoring methods, has enabled a comprehensive assessment of the biodiversity, habitat structure, and ecological health of the Danube River.