eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TMS-CON-DNA General High confidence

Benchmark Value

453 count
Range: 453 to 453 count
Optimal Range: 453 to 453
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. The scoring engine uses 3 benchmarks together — the Point form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

Point Primary Point Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference value of 453 vertebrate taxa represents the cumulative biodiversity detected across the entire network of 71 sites studied by West et al..1

Metric Definition:

Number of vertebrate taxa detected by eDNA metabarcoding representing biodiversity richness.

Benchmark Definition:

The total vertebrate richness detected via eDNA metabarcoding across a large-scale network of sites in a tropical monsoonal savanna ecosystem under conservation management.

Justification:

This benchmark is based on a large-scale, methodologically robust study in the Kimberley region, representing a high biodiversity healthy protected ecosystem network.

Sources (1)

Preview of Large-scale eDNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biogeographic break and transitions over tropical north-western Australia
Large-scale eDNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biogeographic break and transitions over tropical north-western Australia Journal

Large-scale eDNA metabarcoding survey reveals marine biogeographic break and transitions over tropical north-western Australia

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Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Development of a 16S metabarcoding assay for the environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of aquatic reptiles across northern Australia - ResearchGate
(PDF) Development of a 16S metabarcoding assay for the environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of aquatic reptiles across northern Australia - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Development of a 16S metabarcoding assay for the environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of aquatic reptiles across northern Australia - ResearchGate

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Preview of Anglo American: eDNA trial supports biodiversity assessment in the Fitzroy
Anglo American: eDNA trial supports biodiversity assessment in the Fitzroy
Contextual Support Journal

Anglo American: eDNA trial supports biodiversity assessment in the Fitzroy

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Preview of Aquatic environmental DNA: A review of the macro-organismal biomonitoring revolution
Aquatic environmental DNA: A review of the macro-organismal biomonitoring revolution
Methodology Source Journal

Aquatic environmental DNA: A review of the macro-organismal biomonitoring revolution

View Source
Preview of Artificial Waterbodies: A Valuable Source of eDNA for Detecting Threatened Birds - PMC, accessed July 23, 2025,
Artificial Waterbodies: A Valuable Source of eDNA for Detecting Threatened Birds - PMC, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water bodies in a semi-arid habitat using eDNA from filtered, swept, and sediment samples - PubMed, accessed July 24, 2025

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

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Preview of eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray ...
eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray ...
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray ...

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

Development of a 16S metabarcoding assay for the environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of aquatic reptiles across northern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 23, 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,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of Evaluating the utility of environmental DNA for detecting a large Critically Endangered lizard in tropical northern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Pacific Conservation Biology
Evaluating the utility of environmental DNA for detecting a large Critically Endangered lizard in tropical northern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Pacific Conservation Biology
Methodology Source Journal

Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water bodies in a semi-arid habitat using eDNA from filtered, swept, and sediment samples - PubMed

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
Contextual Support

Australia's forests - Australian forest profiles, accessed July 24, 2025

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Preview of Managing for biodiversity: impact and action thresholds for invasive ...
Managing for biodiversity: impact and action thresholds for invasive ...
Contextual Support Journal

Managing for biodiversity: impact and action thresholds for invasive plants in natural ecosystems - NeoBiota

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Preview of NatureMetrics Raises Funding with Environmental DNA Tech - Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), accessed August 12, 2025
NatureMetrics Raises Funding with Environmental DNA Tech - Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

4 ways eDNA reduces invasive species risk - Nature Metrics

View Source
Preview of Read counts from environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding reflect fish abundance and biomass in drained ponds
Read counts from environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding reflect fish abundance and biomass in drained ponds
Contextual Support Journal

Read counts from environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding reflect fish abundance and biomass in drained ponds

View Source
Preview of Revolutionising environmental monitoring using eDNA - CSIRO
Revolutionising environmental monitoring using eDNA - CSIRO
Contextual Support Government

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

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Preview of Target Species Detection | Threatened & Invasive | EnviroDNA
Target Species Detection | Threatened & Invasive | EnviroDNA
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Target Species Detection | Threatened & Invasive | EnviroDNA

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Preview of Top End NT - NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub
Top End NT - NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub
Contextual Support Government

Top End NT - NESP Resilient Landscapes Hub

View Source
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

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Conservation Target
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Functional range context: Lower critical threshold is functional absence of key native taxa; upper detrimental threshold is proportion of invasive species >5-10%. Optimal range characterized by high native species richness, consistent detection of sensitive species, and near-zero invasive species.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-CON-DNA family.

— presence/absence Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
CompositeFramework Retired v1
5 % Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
LowerThreshold Retired v1