Biomonitoringia

Biomonitoringia is an interdisciplinary concept that aims to unify biological monitoring with computational analysis to assess environmental health and ecosystem integrity through signals derived from living organisms and their molecular processes. The term is used in scholarly discussions to describe an integrated approach that spans field biology, molecular biology, and data science.

Scope: It combines traditional biomonitoring methods, such as bioindicator surveys, with modern omics technologies and environmental chemistry, plus data integration platforms. The goal is to generate holistic assessments that reflect both species-level responses and molecular-level changes in ecosystems.

Methods: Key components include environmental DNA and metabarcoding for species and bioindicator detection, genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics to characterize biological responses, plus physiological biomarkers and exposure assays. Data streams from remote sensing, sensors, and geographic information systems may be integrated with statistical and machine learning models.

Applications: Potential uses include pollution and contaminant assessment, monitoring biodiversity and habitat quality, tracking invasive species, assessing climate-related impacts, and informing ecological risk assessments and public health connections.

History and status: The term has appeared in a limited set of publications and projects as a prospective framework; it lacks standardized definitions and protocols, and its adoption varies by region and discipline.

Challenges: Major issues include methodological standardization, cross-study comparability, data management, cost, access to specialized technologies, and governance considerations related to data ownership and ethical concerns.

See also: Biomonitoring, Environmental genomics, eDNA, Bioindicator, Omics, Ecological risk assessment.