eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TGP-FOR-DNA General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

4 score
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Evidence & Context

Lower Critical Threshold: A SIGNAL2 score <4.0 is the lower critical threshold, indicating 'Severely Impaired' ecosystem health and a failure of management to meet minimum environmental standards.

Metric Definition:

SIGNAL2 score representing the lower critical threshold for ecological health in streams

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the minimum SIGNAL2 score below which stream ecosystems in production forestry are considered severely impaired, indicating failure to meet environmental standards.

Justification:

A score below 4.0 indicates severe pollution and ecosystem impairment, representing a failure of BMPs to protect water quality and biodiversity.

Sources (1)

Preview of ISC aquatic life sub-index: index of stream conditions
ISC aquatic life sub-index: index of stream conditions Journal

An index of stream condition: reference manual - Water and catchments

View Source

Supporting Sources (66)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Comparison of stream macroinvertebrate monitoring data from citizen scientists and an aquatic ecologist - ResearchGate
(PDF) Comparison of stream macroinvertebrate monitoring data from citizen scientists and an aquatic ecologist - ResearchGate
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

(PDF) Comparison of stream macroinvertebrate monitoring data from citizen scientists and an aquatic ecologist - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Temperate Woodland Conservation and Management. - ResearchGate
(PDF) Temperate Woodland Conservation and Management. - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Full article: Birds on farms: a review of factors influencing bird occurrence in the temperate woodlands of south-eastern Australia - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed May 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of (PDF) What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - ResearchGate
(PDF) What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of A three-year, Australian-wide, environmental DNA (eDNA) study reveals spatial and temporal patterns in marine biodiversity - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
A three-year, Australian-wide, environmental DNA (eDNA) study reveals spatial and temporal patterns in marine biodiversity - CSIRO Research Publications Repository
Contextual Support Journal

TICI: a taxon-independent community index for eDNA-based ecological health assessment

View Source
Preview of An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,
An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Examination of Stream Water Quality Data from Monitoring of Forest Harvesting in the Eastern Highlands of Victoria.

View Source
Preview of An index of stream condition: reference manual - Water and catchments
An index of stream condition: reference manual - Water and catchments
Direct Evidence Journal

ANZECC & ARMCANZ. (2000). Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality. Volume 1: The Guidelines

View Source
Preview of AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
AUSTRALIA'S STATE OF THE FORESTS REPORT - DAFF, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Final report Advice on finalising Draft Private Native Forestry Codes of Practice March 2022

View Source
Preview of Biodiversity conservation in production forests - cifor-icraf
Biodiversity conservation in production forests - cifor-icraf
Contextual Support Journal

Biodiversity conservation in production forests - cifor-icraf

View Source
Preview of Can eDNA be an indicator of tree groundwater use? A perspective - CSIRO Publishing
Can eDNA be an indicator of tree groundwater use? A perspective - CSIRO Publishing
Contextual Support Journal

Revolutionising environmental monitoring using eDNA - CSIRO, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Can retention forestry help conserve biodiversity? A meta-analysis ...
Can retention forestry help conserve biodiversity? A meta-analysis ...
Contextual Support Journal

Can retention forestry help conserve biodiversity? A meta-analysis ...

View Source
Preview of CSIRO Biodiversity - DBCA Library
CSIRO Biodiversity - DBCA Library
Contextual Support Journal

It's not just Victoria's iconic mountain ash trees at risk – it's every species in their community

View Source
Preview of Ecological Indicators - Macquarie University
Ecological Indicators - Macquarie University
Contextual Support

Ecological Indicators - Macquarie University

View Source
Preview of Ecosystem biomonitoring with eDNA: metabarcoding across the tree of life in a tropical marine environment - PubMed Central
Ecosystem biomonitoring with eDNA: metabarcoding across the tree of life in a tropical marine environment - PubMed Central
Methodology Source Journal

Ecosystem biomonitoring with eDNA: metabarcoding across the tree of life in a tropical marine environment - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of eDNA explained: unlocking nature's hidden biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025
eDNA explained: unlocking nature's hidden biodiversity - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Government

www.csiro.au

View Source
Preview of eDNA guidelines – Environomics Future Science Platform - CSIRO Research
eDNA guidelines – Environomics Future Science Platform - CSIRO Research
Methodology Source Government

Categories - environmental DNA - CSIRO Data Access Portal

View Source
Preview of eDNA Is a Useful Environmental Monitoring Tool for Assessing Stream Ecological Health
eDNA Is a Useful Environmental Monitoring Tool for Assessing Stream Ecological Health
Contextual Support Journal

Centre Spotlight: Research Centre for Applied Alpine Ecology ..., accessed August 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of eDNA Is a Useful Environmental Monitoring Tool for Assessing Stream Ecological Health - Research Commons
eDNA Is a Useful Environmental Monitoring Tool for Assessing Stream Ecological Health - Research Commons
Contextual Support Journal

Detection, movement and persistence of invertebrate eDNA in groundwater - PMC, accessed July 11, 2025,

View Source
Preview of eDNA offers opportunities for improved biodiversity monitoring within forest carbon markets
eDNA offers opportunities for improved biodiversity monitoring within forest carbon markets
Contextual Support

eDNA as a tool for identifying freshwater species in sustainable ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Effect of environmental DNA sampling resolution in detecting nearshore fish biodiversity compared to capture surveys - PubMed Central
Effect of environmental DNA sampling resolution in detecting nearshore fish biodiversity compared to capture surveys - PubMed Central
Methodology Source Journal

Effect of environmental DNA sampling resolution in detecting nearshore fish biodiversity compared to capture surveys - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Effects of Stock Grazing on Biodiversity Values in ... - ACT Government, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Yellow Box – Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived ...

View Source
Preview of Effects of water temperature on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a systematic review - PMC
Effects of water temperature on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a systematic review - PMC
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of water temperature on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a systematic review - PMC

View Source
Preview of EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions, accessed August 12, 2025
EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA analysis as an emerging non-destructive method for plant biodiversity monitoring: a review
Environmental DNA analysis as an emerging non-destructive method for plant biodiversity monitoring: a review
Methodology Source Journal

Estimating species richness using environmental DNA - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA Expeditions in UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites
Environmental DNA Expeditions in UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites
Contextual Support Government

Environmental DNA Expeditions in UNESCO World Heritage Marine Sites

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity - PMC - PubMed Central
Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity - PMC - PubMed Central
Methodology Source Journal

Environmental DNA Metabarcoding: A Novel Contrivance for Documenting Terrestrial Biodiversity - PMC - PubMed Central

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
Contextual Support 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 reveals temporal and spatial variability of invertebrate communities in arid-lands ephemeral water bodies - bioRxiv
Environmental DNA reveals temporal and spatial variability of invertebrate communities in arid-lands ephemeral water bodies - bioRxiv
Contextual Support

Artificial Waterbodies: A Valuable Source of eDNA for Detecting Threatened Birds - PMC

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA survey captures patterns of fish and invertebrate diversity across a tropical seascape - PMC
Environmental DNA survey captures patterns of fish and invertebrate diversity across a tropical seascape - PMC
Methodology Source Journal

Environmental DNA survey captures patterns of fish and invertebrate diversity across a tropical seascape - PMC

View Source
Preview of Environmental leader guide to running an ALT macroinvertebrate survey - Melbourne Water
Environmental leader guide to running an ALT macroinvertebrate survey - Melbourne Water
Contextual Support

Environmental leader guide to running an ALT macroinvertebrate survey - Melbourne Water

View Source
Preview of Environmental Stewardship - Box Gum Grassy Woodland Project - Information Booklet - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Environmental Stewardship - Box Gum Grassy Woodland Project - Information Booklet - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The Nature of Soil - Local Land Services

View Source
Preview of Final Report: Temporal variability of macroinvertebrate communities in Australian streams - DCCEEW
Final Report: Temporal variability of macroinvertebrate communities in Australian streams - DCCEEW
Contextual Support

New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre

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 Forestry Management: Key Principles, Economic Impact, and Challenges in Biodiversity and Reforestation
Forestry Management: Key Principles, Economic Impact, and Challenges in Biodiversity and Reforestation
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Forestry Management: Key Principles, Economic Impact, and Challenges in Biodiversity and Reforestation

View Source
Preview of Forestry: Measuring nature using the power of DNA - NatureMetrics
Forestry: Measuring nature using the power of DNA - NatureMetrics
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Forestry: Measuring nature using the power of DNA - NatureMetrics

View Source
Preview of Guidance for environmental DNA sampling design and effort - Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Guidance for environmental DNA sampling design and effort - Great Lakes Fishery Commission
Contextual Support Journal

Guidance for environmental DNA sampling design and effort - Great Lakes Fishery Commission

View Source
Preview of Harmonizing Forest Conservation Policies with Essential ... - MDPI
Harmonizing Forest Conservation Policies with Essential ... - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Report shows benefits of sustainable wood harvesting in native forests

View Source
Preview of How eDNA is helping tackle sustainability challenges - Curtin University
How eDNA is helping tackle sustainability challenges - Curtin University
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

How eDNA is helping tackle sustainability challenges - Curtin University

View Source
Preview of Invasive terrestrial invertebrate detection in water and soil using a targeted eDNA approach
Invasive terrestrial invertebrate detection in water and soil using a targeted eDNA approach
Methodology Source Journal

Invasive terrestrial invertebrate detection in water and soil using a targeted eDNA approach

View Source
Preview of Is it worth the extra mile? Comparing environmental DNA and RNA metabarcoding for vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity surveys in a lowland stream - PubMed Central
Is it worth the extra mile? Comparing environmental DNA and RNA metabarcoding for vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity surveys in a lowland stream - PubMed Central
Methodology Source Journal

Is it worth the extra mile? Comparing environmental DNA and RNA metabarcoding for vertebrate and invertebrate biodiversity surveys in a lowland stream - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of Land Use Change Influences Ecosystem Function in Headwater Streams of the Lowland Amazon Basin - MDPI
Land Use Change Influences Ecosystem Function in Headwater Streams of the Lowland Amazon Basin - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Land Use Change Influences Ecosystem Function in Headwater Streams of the Lowland Amazon Basin - MDPI

View Source
Preview of Links between biodiversity and rotation length - Forest Research
Links between biodiversity and rotation length - Forest Research
Contextual Support Journal

Links between biodiversity and rotation length - Forest Research

View Source
Preview of Little left to lose: Deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 12, 2025,
Little left to lose: Deforestation and forest degradation in Australia since European colonization | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Ecoacoustic monitoring of the endangered Pink Cockatoo ..., accessed July 12, 2025

View Source
Preview of Macroinvertebrate responses to differing riparian treatments following forest harvest in the headwaters of Trask River watershed
Macroinvertebrate responses to differing riparian treatments following forest harvest in the headwaters of Trask River watershed
Contextual Support

Protecting wildlife - Forestry Corporation, accessed August 17, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Macroinvertebrate Survey - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre
Macroinvertebrate Survey - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre
Contextual Support Journal

Macroinvertebrate Survey - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre

View Source
Preview of Marine Vertebrate Biodiversity and Distribution Within the Central California Current Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding and Ecosystem Surveys - Frontiers
Marine Vertebrate Biodiversity and Distribution Within the Central California Current Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding and Ecosystem Surveys - Frontiers
Contextual Support Journal

Marine Vertebrate Biodiversity and Distribution Within the Central California Current Using Environmental DNA (eDNA) Metabarcoding and Ecosystem Surveys - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Meta‐analysis shows that environmental DNA outperforms traditional surveys, but warrants better reporting standards - PubMed Central
Meta‐analysis shows that environmental DNA outperforms traditional surveys, but warrants better reporting standards - PubMed Central
Meta Analysis Journal

Meta‐analysis shows that environmental DNA outperforms traditional surveys, but warrants better reporting standards - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre
New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates - Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre
Direct Evidence Journal

ISC aquatic life sub-index: index of stream conditions

View Source
Preview of New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates - ResearchGate
New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

New sensitivity grades for Australian river macroinvertebrates - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Plants 2024 | NSW State of the Environment
Plants 2024 | NSW State of the Environment
Contextual Support Government

NSW State of the Environment 2024 - Plants

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Preview of Power and limitations of environmental DNA metabarcoding for surveying leaf litter eukaryotic communities - NSF Public Access Repository
Power and limitations of environmental DNA metabarcoding for surveying leaf litter eukaryotic communities - NSF Public Access Repository
Contextual Support Journal

Power and limitations of environmental DNA metabarcoding for surveying leaf litter eukaryotic communities - NSF Public Access Repository

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Preview of Predictive modelling manual - AusRivAS
Predictive modelling manual - AusRivAS
Contextual Support Journal

Predictive modelling manual - AusRivAS

View Source
Preview of Quantitative monitoring of multispecies fish environmental DNA using high-throughput sequencing - Metabarcoding and Metagenomics
Quantitative monitoring of multispecies fish environmental DNA using high-throughput sequencing - Metabarcoding and Metagenomics
Methodology Source Journal

Quantitative monitoring of multispecies fish environmental DNA using high-throughput sequencing - Metabarcoding and Metagenomics

View Source
Preview of Real time eDNA tools to improve early detection and response approaches for high-risk pest animals
Real time eDNA tools to improve early detection and response approaches for high-risk pest animals
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Real time eDNA tools to improve early detection and response approaches for high-risk pest animals

View Source
Preview of Reinforcement of Environmental DNA Based Methods (Sensu Stricto) in Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: A Review
Reinforcement of Environmental DNA Based Methods (Sensu Stricto) in Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: A Review
Contextual Support Journal

Reinforcement of Environmental DNA Based Methods (Sensu Stricto) in Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation: A Review

View Source
Preview of report no. 3073 - macroinvertebrate metrics for the national policy statement for freshwater management - Ministry for the Environment
report no. 3073 - macroinvertebrate metrics for the national policy statement for freshwater management - Ministry for the Environment
Contextual Support Journal

report no. 3073 - macroinvertebrate metrics for the national policy statement for freshwater management - Ministry for the Environment

View Source
Preview of Review of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of forestry impacts on waterway health in NSW coastal forests - Natural Resources Commission, accessed August 9, 2025
Review of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of forestry impacts on waterway health in NSW coastal forests - Natural Resources Commission, accessed August 9, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Review of the current state of knowledge for the monitoring of ..., accessed July 31, 2025,

View Source
Preview of SIGNAL 2 - Ginninderra Catchment Group
SIGNAL 2 - Ginninderra Catchment Group
Contextual Support Journal

SIGNAL 2 - Ginninderra Catchment Group

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Preview of Stream macroinvertebrate community responses to fire: are they the same in different fire-prone biogeographic regions? - University of Idaho
Stream macroinvertebrate community responses to fire: are they the same in different fire-prone biogeographic regions? - University of Idaho
Contextual Support Journal

Stream macroinvertebrate community responses to fire: are they the same in different fire-prone biogeographic regions? - University of Idaho

View Source
Preview of Sustainability Charter for Victoria's State forests
Sustainability Charter for Victoria's State forests
Contextual Support Journal

Sustainability Charter for Victoria's State forests

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Preview of The Ecology and Management of Wood inWorld Rivers - H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest
The Ecology and Management of Wood inWorld Rivers - H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest
Contextual Support Journal

The Ecology and Management of Wood inWorld Rivers - H.J. Andrews Experimental Forest

View Source
Preview of The South Australian monitoring, evaluation and reporting program for aquatic ecosystems - EPA SA
The South Australian monitoring, evaluation and reporting program for aquatic ecosystems - EPA SA
Contextual Support Journal

The South Australian monitoring, evaluation and reporting program for aquatic ecosystems - EPA SA

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Preview of Tina E. Berry's research works | Curtin University and other places - ResearchGate
Tina E. Berry's research works | Curtin University and other places - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Tina E. Berry's research works | Curtin University and other places - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Tracing Waterbirds in Water: A Pilot Study on the Utility of eDNA ...
Tracing Waterbirds in Water: A Pilot Study on the Utility of eDNA ...
Contextual Support

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

View Source
Preview of Unearthing the Potential of Soil eDNA Metabarcoding—Towards Best Practice Advice for Invertebrate Biodiversity Assessment - Frontiers
Unearthing the Potential of Soil eDNA Metabarcoding—Towards Best Practice Advice for Invertebrate Biodiversity Assessment - Frontiers
Methodology Source Journal

Correlated environmental DNA and electrofished ... - Frontiers, accessed July 11, 2025,

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Preview of Validation of Environmental DNA for Estimating Proportional and Absolute Biomass - the NOAA Institutional Repository
Validation of Environmental DNA for Estimating Proportional and Absolute Biomass - the NOAA Institutional Repository
Contextual Support Journal

CSIRO Biodiversity - DBCA Library

View Source
Preview of What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research
What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research
Contextual Support Journal

What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold marks the boundary below which the aquatic community is severely impaired and ecosystem functions are compromised. No upper detrimental threshold is identified. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-FOR-DNA family.