Monitoring Bird Species Migration Periods in Mogan Flood Trap and Comparative Biodiversity Analysis with eDNA Data

In the Mogan Flood Trap, located within the borders of Ankara province and an important wetland for migratory birds, a biodiversity assessment was carried out during the migration period using both classical bird observation methods and environmental DNA (eDNA)-based molecular analyses. In the study, short-read based Illumina and long-read based Oxford Nanopore sequencing platforms were compared using environmental samples taken from the water. Amplicon sequences specific to different gene regions were analyzed, and species-level matching success, accuracy, and sensitivity were evaluated in databases. By integrating observational and molecular data, a comparative list of bird species detected in the area was made, contributing to the identification of strategic species for the conservation of the wetland. This study not only compares the biomonitoring effectiveness of different sequencing technologies but also demonstrates the applicability of eDNA methods in monitoring habitats of vital importance for migratory birds.