Cooperating countries: Uzbekistan, Austria

Coordinating institution: BOKU University

Project coordinator: Priv.Doz. Dr. Daniel S. Hayes

Partner institution: National Research University

Project duration: 01.09.2026-31.08.2028

Budget: 38.880,00 €

Central Asian river ecosystems facing escalating threats from human development and climate change. Yet, the unique fauna of these riverine ecosystems, including their biogeography, is poorly understood, limiting effective conservation and restoration efforts. The BioCAre project fills this knowledge gap by delivering the first large-scale, molecularly validated assessment of freshwater biodiversity in the mountain rivers of Central Asia since the Soviet era. Across four countries (Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan), we combine traditional morphological surveys with cutting-edge multi-taxon environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding – the first application of a macroinvertebrate eDNA survey in the region – to establish a robust, spatially explicit regional baseline of fish and benthic invertebrate communities. By integrating these data with natural hydrogeomorphic parameters and records of anthropogenic stressors, BioCAre quantifies the relative impacts of irrigated agriculture, hydropower development, and natural catchment characteristics on endemic and threatened aquatic species. State-of-the-art statistical modelling will produce the region’s first stressor–response curves and ecological thresholds. Bidirectional research stays ensure equitable Austro-Uzbek co-leadership: Uzbek researchers receive intensive training in eDNA data analysis and advanced statistical modeling at BOKU, while Austrian scientists join extended field campaigns and stakeholder processes in Uzbekistan. Key outputs include a geodatabase and an open-access biodiversity atlas (urgently needed for updating data deficient species assessments in the Red List), four high-impact publications, a jointly organized high-level stakeholder workshop in Tashkent, and a tri-lingual policy brief with concrete recommendations for river ecosystem protection and restoration. BioCAre directly supports Uzbekistan’s National Biodiversity Strategy on future large-scale monitoring programs using modern methods and ecological indicators, and contributes to the Central Asia’s sustainable development, particularly addressing SDGs 6, 15, and 17.