eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TGP-AQU-DNA General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

25 count
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Evidence & Context

Benchmark for eDNA Biodiversity Detection Indicator Name: eDNA Biodiversity Detection Reference Value: 25 Unit: Number of vertebrate species detected (via eDNA metabarcoding)

Metric Definition:

Total number of vertebrate species detected via eDNA metabarcoding

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the total number of vertebrate species detected using standardized eDNA metabarcoding protocols in aquaculture within the Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains biome. It serves as a proxy for high ecological health based on a reference site in the Murray-Darling Basin.

Justification:

This value is a scientifically defensible proxy benchmark derived from a high-health reference site within the Murray-Darling Basin, the relevant ecoregion for best-practice, land-based aquaculture in the Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains.

Sources (1)

Preview of Results — Great Australian Wildlife Search
Results — Great Australian Wildlife Search GreyLiterature

Great Australian Wildlife Search - Biodiversity Findings Report Spring 2023

View Source

Supporting Sources (35)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass: A review of approaches and future considerations for resource surveys - ResearchGate, accessed August 10, 2025
(PDF) Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass: A review of approaches and future considerations for resource surveys - ResearchGate, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass: A review of approaches and future considerations for resource surveys - ResearchGate, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of © Aquaculture Stewardship Council Foundation 2022 1, accessed August 10, 2025
© Aquaculture Stewardship Council Foundation 2022 1, accessed August 10, 2025
Regulatory Framework Journal

© Aquaculture Stewardship Council Foundation 2022 1, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of A Comparative Evaluation of eDNA Metabarcoding Primers in Fish Community Monitoring in the East Lake - MDPI, accessed August 10, 2025
A Comparative Evaluation of eDNA Metabarcoding Primers in Fish Community Monitoring in the East Lake - MDPI, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

A Comparative Evaluation of eDNA Metabarcoding Primers in Fish Community Monitoring in the East Lake - MDPI, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture - Oceanwatch Australia, accessed August 10, 2025
Aquaculture - Oceanwatch Australia, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Aquaculture Production and Biodiversity Conservation | BioScience ..., accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture in NSW facts & figures 2024
Aquaculture in NSW facts & figures 2024
Contextual Support Journal

Aquaculture in NSW facts & figures 2024, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture Production and Biodiversity Conservation | BioScience ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Aquaculture Production and Biodiversity Conservation | BioScience ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

New research reveals 12 ways aquaculture can benefit the environment - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian Aquaculture Code of Conduct - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 10, 2025
Australian Aquaculture Code of Conduct - NSW Department of Primary Industries, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

National Fisheries Plan 2022-2030, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Best practice - Petuna Seafoods, accessed August 10, 2025
Best practice - Petuna Seafoods, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Best practice - Petuna Seafoods, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Bridging the gap: The integration of eDNA techniques and traditional sampling in fish diversity analysis - Frontiers, accessed August 10, 2025
Bridging the gap: The integration of eDNA techniques and traditional sampling in fish diversity analysis - Frontiers, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Beyond Detection – The Future of eDNA Research (Post-Event Summary)

View Source
Preview of Comparing eDNA metabarcoding primers for assessing fish communities in a biodiverse estuary - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Comparing eDNA metabarcoding primers for assessing fish communities in a biodiverse estuary - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Comparing eDNA metabarcoding primers for assessing fish communities in a biodiverse estuary - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of CORPORATE PROFILE - Aquna Murray Cod, accessed August 10, 2025
CORPORATE PROFILE - Aquna Murray Cod, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

CORPORATE PROFILE - Aquna Murray Cod, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of DNA reference library a game-changer for environmental monitoring - CSIRO, accessed August 10, 2025
DNA reference library a game-changer for environmental monitoring - CSIRO, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys show evidence of non-indigenous freshwater species invasion to new parts of Eastern Europe, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of eDNA biomonitoring – Towards a new generation of ecological assessment tools for managing coastal environments - CSIRO Research, accessed August 10, 2025
eDNA biomonitoring – Towards a new generation of ecological assessment tools for managing coastal environments - CSIRO Research, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Government

eDNA biomonitoring – Towards a new generation of ecological assessment tools for managing coastal environments - CSIRO Research

View Source
Preview of eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 10, 2025
eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Murray–Darling Basin Authority. (2024). EDNA Results From The Great Australian Wildlife Search.

View Source
Preview of eDNA shows diverse wildlife in the rivers of the Murray–Darling Basin, accessed August 10, 2025
eDNA shows diverse wildlife in the rivers of the Murray–Darling Basin, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support

eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass - Griffith Research Online, accessed August 10, 2025
Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass - Griffith Research Online, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support

Environmental DNA (eDNA) as a tool for assessing fish biomass - Griffith Research Online, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys show evidence of non-indigenous freshwater species invasion to new parts of Eastern Europe, accessed August 10, 2025
Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys show evidence of non-indigenous freshwater species invasion to new parts of Eastern Europe, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding surveys show evidence of non-indigenous freshwater species invasion to new parts of Eastern Europe, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives - IJAH, accessed August 10, 2025, )-Rev.pdf
Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives - IJAH, accessed August 10, 2025, )-Rev.pdf
Contextual Support

Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives - IJAH

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA protocol development guide ... - CSIRO Research, accessed August 10, 2025
Environmental DNA protocol development guide ... - CSIRO Research, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

eDNA biomonitoring – Towards a new generation of ecological assessment tools for managing coastal environments - CSIRO Research, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA: An Emerging Tool for Understanding Aquatic Biodiversity, accessed August 10, 2025
Environmental DNA: An Emerging Tool for Understanding Aquatic Biodiversity, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Government

Bridging the gap: The integration of eDNA techniques and traditional sampling in fish diversity analysis - Frontiers, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Estimating species richness using environmental DNA - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Estimating species richness using environmental DNA - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Estuarine fishes associated with intertidal oyster reefs characterized using environmental DNA and baited remote underwater video

View Source
Preview of Fish community assessment with eDNA metabarcoding: effects of sampling design and bioinformatic filtering - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed August 10, 2025
Fish community assessment with eDNA metabarcoding: effects of sampling design and bioinformatic filtering - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Fish community assessment with eDNA metabarcoding: effects of sampling design and bioinformatic filtering - Canadian Science Publishing, accessed August 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of How do we farm fish sustainably at Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod?, accessed August 10, 2025
How do we farm fish sustainably at Aquna Sustainable Murray Cod?, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

RDA Riverina Overview, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Murray–Darling Basin Authority. (2024). eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the Murray–Darling Basin. Joint Media Release.

View Source
Preview of Monitoring native fish in the Lachlan catchment through environmental DNA and conventional methods - DCCEEW, accessed August 10, 2025
Monitoring native fish in the Lachlan catchment through environmental DNA and conventional methods - DCCEEW, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Estimating species richness using environmental DNA - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Murray Cod Production - Visit Coleambally, accessed August 10, 2025
Murray Cod Production - Visit Coleambally, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the ..., accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of National Fisheries Plan 2022-2030, accessed August 10, 2025
National Fisheries Plan 2022-2030, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Aquaculture in NSW facts & figures 2024, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of New research reveals 12 ways aquaculture can benefit the environment - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025
New research reveals 12 ways aquaculture can benefit the environment - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

New research reveals 12 ways aquaculture can benefit the environment - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, accessed August 10, 2025
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding in mangrove restoration in Southeast Asia - Frontiers, accessed August 10, 2025
Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding in mangrove restoration in Southeast Asia - Frontiers, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Revolutionising Biodiversity Monitoring in Freshwater Ecosystems Using Environmental DNA - Find an Expert - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025

View Source
Preview of RDA Riverina Overview, accessed August 10, 2025
RDA Riverina Overview, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

RDA Riverina Overview, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Read counts from environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding reflect fish abundance and biomass in drained ponds, accessed August 10, 2025
Read counts from environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding reflect fish abundance and biomass in drained ponds, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Read counts from environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding reflect fish abundance and biomass in drained ponds, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Revolutionising Biodiversity Monitoring in Freshwater Ecosystems Using Environmental DNA - Find an Expert - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025
Revolutionising Biodiversity Monitoring in Freshwater Ecosystems Using Environmental DNA - Find an Expert - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Revolutionising Biodiversity Monitoring in Freshwater Ecosystems Using Environmental DNA - Find an Expert - The University of Melbourne, accessed August 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Toward an ecoregion scale evaluation of eDNA metabarcoding ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Toward an ecoregion scale evaluation of eDNA metabarcoding ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Murray–Darling Basin Spring 2024 Biodiversity Findings Report, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Toward an ecoregion scale evaluation of eDNA metabarcoding primers: A case study for the freshwater fish biodiversity of the Murray–Darling Basin (Australia) - University of Canberra Research Portal, accessed August 10, 2025
Toward an ecoregion scale evaluation of eDNA metabarcoding primers: A case study for the freshwater fish biodiversity of the Murray–Darling Basin (Australia) - University of Canberra Research Portal, accessed August 10, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Toward an ecoregion scale evaluation of eDNA metabarcoding ..., accessed August 10, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Aquaculture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Season Spring
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower Critical Threshold: Detection of fewer than 9 species (<35% of the reference value) indicates a 'Poor' or 'Bad' ecological status, suggesting significant negative environmental impact. Optimal Range: Detection of 13 to 25+ species (50–100%+ of the reference value), with a community composition dominated by native species, indicates a 'Good' to 'High' ecological status consistent with sustainable best practice. Upper Detrimental Threshold: No simple upper numerical limit; high species richness can be misleading if driven by invasive or pollution-tolerant species.