eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TMI-AGR-DNA General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: CompositeFramework

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, 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

The upper detrimental threshold is crossed when the eDNA profile shows a dramatic loss of evenness and a massive increase in the relative abundance of pollution-tolerant organisms.

Metric Definition:

A compositional eDNA profile dominated by pollution-tolerant taxa indicating severe ecosystem degradation.

Benchmark Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold indicating ecosystem degradation due to dominance of pollution-tolerant taxa.

Justification:

Based on ecological understanding of eutrophication impacts and compositional shifts detected by eDNA in agricultural catchments.

Sources (2)

Preview of Chapter 00013 - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Agroecosystems - Berkeley Food Institute

Chapter 00013 - Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Agroecosystems - Berkeley Food Institute Journal

Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) - Government of Western Australia

View Source

Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments Government

Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments

View Source

Supporting Sources (7)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

eDNA guidelines – Environomics Future Science Platform - CSIRO Research

Direct Evidence Government

Categories - environmental DNA - CSIRO Data Access Portal

View Source

Eutrophication (nutrient enrichment) - Western Australian Government

Contextual Support Government

Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000

View Source

How to Increase Soil Fertility with Mixed-Species Planting - SONIC Natural Farming, accessed July 7, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Functional Agro-Biodiversity: An Evaluation of Current Approaches and Outcomes - MDPI

View Source

Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Mackay Whitsunday Water Quality Improvement Plan 2014-2021 - Reef Catchments, accessed August 2, 2025

View Source

North Queensland eDNA Fish Mapping - OzFish Unlimited

Methodology Source GreyLiterature

eDNA as a tool to inform aquatic biosecurity management decisions: A case study on a South-East Queensland dam with a retrofitted fish passage facility

View Source

Plant Production and Protection Division: How to manage agricultural biodiversity

Contextual Support Government

Plant Production and Protection Division: How to manage agricultural biodiversity

View Source

the mackay – whitsunday – isaac - 2022 report card - Healthy Rivers ...

Direct Evidence Journal

Plant Production and Protection Division: How to manage agricultural biodiversity

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 3 Jun 2026

Notes

Not a species richness limit but a compositional signal of severe degradation from nutrient pollution.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-AGR-DNA family.