eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TSR-AQU-DNA General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

23 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 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.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The study provides a clear, quantitative result for fish diversity in this high-health system, stating, "A total of 23 species were detected".18

Metric Definition:

Species Richness (count of unique taxa detected via eDNA metabarcoding; Presence/Absence)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the species richness of fish detected by eDNA metabarcoding in a pristine tropical aquatic habitat, serving as a reference for biodiversity potential in aquaculture systems within tropical and subtropical rainforests.

Justification:

This proxy benchmark is derived from a peer-reviewed eDNA metabarcoding study of a pristine tropical river, representing a "best available natural condition" for aquatic ecosystems in the target biome. It is proposed as a reference for the potential biodiversity that could be supported by the well-managed water treatment/settlement ponds of a best-practice aquaculture facility, as no direct studies from such facilities exist.

Sources (1)

Preview of Assessing freshwater fish biodiversity of Kumbe ... - CSIRO Publishing
Assessing freshwater fish biodiversity of Kumbe ... - CSIRO Publishing Journal

Evaluating the utility of environmental DNA for detecting a large Critically Endangered lizard in tropical northern Australia - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (26)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (a) A health assessment result using the multi-species biotic integrity... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,
(a) A health assessment result using the multi-species biotic integrity... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

(a) A health assessment result using the multi-species biotic integrity... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives, accessed July 21, 2025,
(PDF) Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Assessment of Aquatic Ecosystem Health in the Irtysh River Basin Using eDNA Metabarcoding - MDPI, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Applying environmental DNA metabarcoding to calculate an index of biotic integrity for freshwater fish - bioRxiv, accessed July 21, 2025,
Applying environmental DNA metabarcoding to calculate an index of biotic integrity for freshwater fish - bioRxiv, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support

Applying environmental DNA metabarcoding to calculate an index of biotic integrity for freshwater fish | bioRxiv, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of ASSESSING THE BIOSECURITY RISK OF IMPORTED UNCOOKED, WHOLE AND HEAD-ON EVISCERATED, BARRAMUNDI AND NON-SALMONID FINFISH IN RELATION TO EXOTIC VIRUSES | World Aquaculture Society Meetings, accessed July 13, 2025,
ASSESSING THE BIOSECURITY RISK OF IMPORTED UNCOOKED, WHOLE AND HEAD-ON EVISCERATED, BARRAMUNDI AND NON-SALMONID FINFISH IN RELATION TO EXOTIC VIRUSES | World Aquaculture Society Meetings, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

ASSESSING THE BIOSECURITY RISK OF IMPORTED UNCOOKED, WHOLE AND HEAD-ON EVISCERATED, BARRAMUNDI AND NON-SALMONID FINFISH IN RELATION TO EXOTIC VIRUSES | World Aquaculture Society Meetings

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

biodiversity - Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Categories - environmental DNA - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 21, 2025,
Categories - environmental DNA - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 21, 2025,
Methodology Source Government

Using environmental DNA to study fishes - CSIRO, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Detection and quantification of sea lice using eDNA around aquaculture locations, accessed July 21, 2025,
Detection and quantification of sea lice using eDNA around aquaculture locations, accessed July 21, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Detection and quantification of sea lice using eDNA around aquaculture locations, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Developing an eDNA tool to monitor red toxic microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo in aquaculture farms., accessed July 21, 2025,
Developing an eDNA tool to monitor red toxic microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo in aquaculture farms., accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Environmental (e)DNA in the aquatic sciences: the CATG is now well and truly out of the bag - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of eDNA as a tool for identifying freshwater species in sustainable forestry - Forest Service, accessed July 21, 2025,
eDNA as a tool for identifying freshwater species in sustainable forestry - Forest Service, accessed July 21, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

eDNA as a tool for identifying freshwater species in sustainable forestry - Forest Service, accessed July 21, 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
Contextual Support Government

eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub

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

eDNA explained: unlocking nature's hidden biodiversity - CSIRO

View Source
Preview of eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 11, 2025,
eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia

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

Guidance on the use of ecosystem receptor indicators for the assessment of water and sediment quality, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,
Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia, accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year - DAFF, accessed July 21, 2025,
Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year - DAFF, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support

Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year - DAFF, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of farming in Queensland – worlds best practice The environmental management of prawn, accessed August 1, 2025
farming in Queensland – worlds best practice The environmental management of prawn, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

farming in Queensland – worlds best practice The environmental ..., accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of JCU Project To Help Safeguard Prawn Industry - Mirage News, accessed July 21, 2025,
JCU Project To Help Safeguard Prawn Industry - Mirage News, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

JCU Project To Help Safeguard Prawn Industry - Mirage News, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the Murray–Darling Basin, accessed July 21, 2025,
Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the Murray–Darling Basin, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the Murray–Darling Basin, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Kelly Condon PhD BSc Researcher Lecturer (Aquaculture) at James Cook University - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,
Kelly Condon PhD BSc Researcher Lecturer (Aquaculture) at James Cook University - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Kelly Condon PhD BSc Researcher Lecturer (Aquaculture) at James Cook University - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Monitoring riverine fish communities through eDNA metabarcoding: determining optimal sampling strategies along an altitudinal and biodiversity gradient
Monitoring riverine fish communities through eDNA metabarcoding: determining optimal sampling strategies along an altitudinal and biodiversity gradient
Contextual Support

eDNA as a tool for identifying freshwater species in sustainable forestry - USDA Forest Service

View Source
Preview of National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) Aggregate Emission Data (AED) Estimation Techniques Manual for The Aquaculture of; Barramundi - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025,
National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) Aggregate Emission Data (AED) Estimation Techniques Manual for The Aquaculture of; Barramundi - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

National Pollutant Inventory (NPI) Aggregate Emission Data (AED) Estimation Techniques Manual for The Aquaculture of; Barramundi - DCCEEW, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of North Queensland eDNA Fish Mapping - OzFish Unlimited
North Queensland eDNA Fish Mapping - OzFish Unlimited
Contextual Support 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
Preview of Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA ... - Frontiers, accessed July 21, 2025,
Prospects and challenges of environmental DNA (eDNA ... - Frontiers, accessed July 21, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Advancing the environmental DNA and RNA toolkit for aquatic ecosystem monitoring and management - ResearchGate, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Research: Protecting Australia's prawn industry - Food Processing, accessed July 21, 2025,
Research: Protecting Australia's prawn industry - Food Processing, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Research: Protecting Australia's prawn industry - Food Processing, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The sustainability behind farmed Australian barramundi, accessed July 24, 2025
The sustainability behind farmed Australian barramundi, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

JCU project to help safeguard prawn industry - JCU Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source
Preview of What is eDNA - JCU Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,
What is eDNA - JCU Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What is eDNA - JCU Australia, accessed July 21, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Aquaculture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 23 Mar 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. Lower Critical Threshold: A state characterized by the detection of only the cultured species and potential pathogens, with a near-complete absence of native, non-target fauna, indicating a sterile and non-functional treatment system. Optimal Range: A state where production ponds remain biosecure (very low non-target biodiversity), while settlement ponds are colonized by a diverse assemblage of native and non-invasive species from the local catchment, indicating effective bioremediation and ecological integration. Upper Detrimental Threshold: This is defined by species composition, not just richness. High richness becomes detrimental if it includes a significant proportion of invasive species (e.g., tilapia, carp) or pathogens, indicating a loss of biosecurity and a failure to manage ecological risks.