eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TSW-AQU-DNA General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

18 count
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

The best-performing, 'enhanced' farm dams in West Gippsland showed an average of 18 macroinvertebrate families detected by eDNA metabarcoding.

Metric Definition:

Macroinvertebrate family richness detected by eDNA metabarcoding in farm dams.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the average macroinvertebrate family richness detected by eDNA metabarcoding in enhanced farm dams within temperate semi-arid shrublands and open woodlands in Australia, indicating a healthy aquatic biodiversity state.

Justification:

Derived from the best-performing, 'enhanced' farm dams in the most relevant analogue study, representing a real-world, high-health state in a managed Australian water body.

Sources (1)

Preview of Farm Dam eDNA Biodiversity Report July 2019 - EnviroDNA
Farm Dam eDNA Biodiversity Report July 2019 - EnviroDNA Journal

Farm Dam eDNA Biodiversity Report July 2019 - EnviroDNA

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

Correlated environmental DNA and electrofished estimates of relative biomass for golden perch, Macquaria ambigua - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of A performance evaluation of targeted eDNA and eDNA metabarcoding analyses for freshwater fishes - University of Canberra, accessed July 13, 2025,
A performance evaluation of targeted eDNA and eDNA metabarcoding analyses for freshwater fishes - University of Canberra, accessed July 13, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

A performance evaluation of targeted eDNA and eDNA metabarcoding analyses for freshwater fishes - University of Canberra

View Source
Preview of A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,
A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The impacts of invasive plant species on biodiversity of Australian rangelands

View Source
Preview of A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed July 13, 2025,
A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A strategy for dealing with invasive species in Australia

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture in Australia - DAFF, accessed July 13, 2025,
Aquaculture in Australia - DAFF, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support

Aquaculture in Australia - DAFF

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture in desert and arid lands: development constraints and opportunities. - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Aquaculture in desert and arid lands: development constraints and opportunities. - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Contextual Support Journal

Aquaculture in desert and arid lands: development constraints and opportunities. - Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture Planning in Western Australia - Part B Sites and Maps - DBCA Library, accessed July 13, 2025,
Aquaculture Planning in Western Australia - Part B Sites and Maps - DBCA Library, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Strategies for promoting sustainable aquaculture in arid and semi-arid areas

View Source
Preview of Aquatic animal diseases significant to Australia: identification field guide 5th edition, accessed July 13, 2025,
Aquatic animal diseases significant to Australia: identification field guide 5th edition, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Aquatic animal diseases significant to Australia: identification field guide 5th edition

View Source
Preview of Aquatic health and biosecurity - Animal Health Australia, accessed July 13, 2025,
Aquatic health and biosecurity - Animal Health Australia, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Aquatic health and biosecurity - Animal Health Australia

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,
Methodology Source 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 Benefits of farm dam enhancement - Sustainable Farms, accessed July 13, 2025,
Benefits of farm dam enhancement - Sustainable Farms, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Benefits of farm dam enhancement - Sustainable Farms

View Source
Preview of Biological invasions in intermittent rivers and streams: current knowledge, and future frontiers - Revista Ecosistemas, accessed July 13, 2025,
Biological invasions in intermittent rivers and streams: current knowledge, and future frontiers - Revista Ecosistemas, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Biological invasions in intermittent rivers and streams: current knowledge, and future frontiers - Revista Ecosistemas

View Source
Preview of Bridging the gap: The integration of eDNA techniques and ... - Frontiers, accessed July 13, 2025,
Bridging the gap: The integration of eDNA techniques and ... - Frontiers, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Bridging the gap: The integration of eDNA techniques and ... - Frontiers

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 Dams and Lake Ecosystems: Ecological Changes and Biodiversity Loss - HomeWater, accessed July 13, 2025,
Dams and Lake Ecosystems: Ecological Changes and Biodiversity Loss - HomeWater, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

CCB Working Area - Eutrophication

View Source
Preview of Developing an eDNA tool to monitor red toxic microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo in aquaculture farms., accessed July 13, 2025,
Developing an eDNA tool to monitor red toxic microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo in aquaculture farms., accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Developing an eDNA tool to monitor red toxic microalgae Heterosigma akashiwo in aquaculture farms.

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 Enhance farm dams 13 ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed July 13, 2025,
Enhance farm dams 13 ANU Sustainable Farms, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Enhance farm dams – ANU Sustainable Farms

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

eDNA testing helping to create healthy farm dams - Landcare Australia

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives - Indian Journal of Animal Health, accessed July 13, 2025, )-Rev.pdf
Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives - Indian Journal of Animal Health, accessed July 13, 2025, )-Rev.pdf
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Environmental DNA (eDNA) technology: Fisheries and aquaculture perspectives - Indian Journal of Animal Health

View Source
Preview of Expert commentary: Invasive species driving Australian biodiversity loss - CSIRO, accessed July 13, 2025
Expert commentary: Invasive species driving Australian biodiversity loss - CSIRO, accessed July 13, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Environmental DNA provides higher resolution assessment of riverine biodiversity and ecosystem function via spatio-temporal nestedness and turnover partitioning

View Source
Preview of Farm Dam eDNA Biodiversity Report July 2019 - EnviroDNA, accessed July 13, 2025,
Farm Dam eDNA Biodiversity Report July 2019 - EnviroDNA, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Farm Dam eDNA Biodiversity Report July 2019 - EnviroDNA, accessed July 13, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Farm Dams 13; A Haven for Wetland Species 13; Watershed Landcare Incorporated, accessed July 13, 2025,
Farm Dams 13; A Haven for Wetland Species 13; Watershed Landcare Incorporated, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Farm Dams – A Haven for Wetland Species – Watershed Landcare Incorporated

View Source
Preview of Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 13, 2025,
Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters

View Source
Preview of Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,
Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of How farm dams can maintain biodiversity on farm - The Beef Site, accessed July 13, 2025,
How farm dams can maintain biodiversity on farm - The Beef Site, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

How farm dams can maintain biodiversity on farm - The Beef Site

View Source
Preview of Improving Biodiversity of Farm Dams - Murray Wildlife, accessed July 13, 2025,
Improving Biodiversity of Farm Dams - Murray Wildlife, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Improving Biodiversity of Farm Dams - Murray Wildlife

View Source
Preview of Integrating environmental DNA science into Australia's marine parks: a roadmap - CSIRO, accessed July 13, 2025,
Integrating environmental DNA science into Australia's marine parks: a roadmap - CSIRO, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Integrating environmental DNA science into Australia's marine parks: a roadmap - CSIRO

View Source
Preview of Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 13, 2025,
Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Invasive species, problematic native species, and diseases | Australia state of the environment 2021

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 Nutrient limitation and interactions with organic matter and sediments within dryland streams of the Pilbara region of northwest - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository - The University of Western Australia, accessed July 21, 2025
Nutrient limitation and interactions with organic matter and sediments within dryland streams of the Pilbara region of northwest - the UWA Profiles and Research Repository - The University of Western Australia, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support

Exploring the potential of metabarcoding to disentangle macroinvertebrate community dynamics in intermittent streams

View Source
Preview of Results — Great Australian Wildlife Search, accessed July 20, 2025
Results — Great Australian Wildlife Search, accessed July 20, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Report Interpretation Guide - Nature Metrics

View Source
Preview of Strategies for promoting sustainable aquaculture in arid and semi-arid areas, accessed July 20, 2025,
Strategies for promoting sustainable aquaculture in arid and semi-arid areas, accessed July 20, 2025,
Regulatory Framework

Assessing Environmental Regulatory Arrangements for Aquaculture | Productivity Commission

View Source
Preview of What is eutrophication in agriculture? - Quora, accessed July 13, 2025,
What is eutrophication in agriculture? - Quora, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What is eutrophication in agriculture? - Quora

View Source
Preview of Wildlife and Farm Dams - SWIFFT, accessed July 13, 2025,
Wildlife and Farm Dams - SWIFFT, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The multiple benefits of restoring habitat on farms

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Aquaculture
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • 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.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AQU-DNA family.

— count Moderate
Aquaculture ยท Pristine Reference
CompositeFramework Active v1