eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-AIF-CON-DNA General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

20 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 Point, 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

Point Primary Point Guard Point Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The reference benchmark for eDNA biodiversity detection in this context is established as: A detected richness of ~20 vertebrate taxa.

Metric Definition:

Number of vertebrate taxa detected via eDNA metabarcoding from natural, ephemeral water bodies in arid inland floodplain conservation areas.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available condition for vertebrate richness detected by eDNA in arid inland floodplain conservation areas, indicating a healthy ecosystem state.

Justification:

Derived from peer-reviewed scientific literature focusing on natural gnammas in semi-arid conservation landscapes, representing a proxy for high-health arid ephemeral systems.

Sources (1)

Preview of Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water ...
Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water ... Journal

eDNA as a tool for identifying freshwater species in sustainable ..., accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source

Supporting Sources (16)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Condition thresholds in Australia's threatened ecological community listings hinder conservation of dynamic ecosystems - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 4, 2025
Condition thresholds in Australia's threatened ecological community listings hinder conservation of dynamic ecosystems - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 4, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Condition thresholds in Australia´s threatened ... - CSIRO Publishing

View Source
Preview of Ecological condition of central Australian arid-zone rivers - PubMed, accessed July 21, 2025
Ecological condition of central Australian arid-zone rivers - PubMed, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Ecological condition of central Australian arid-zone rivers - PubMed

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 biomonitoring – Towards a new generation of ecological assessment tools for managing coastal environments - CSIRO Research

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: Review of applicability for monitoring and detecting biotic populations of the Murray-Darling Basin - Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, accessed July 22, 2025,
eDNA: Review of applicability for monitoring and detecting biotic populations of the Murray-Darling Basin - Centre for Invasive Species Solutions, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

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

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

Use of eDNA and conventional sampling methods to survey rock pool (gnamma) biodiversity on granite inselbergs, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Evaluating eDNA and metabarcoding as biodiversity monitoring tools, accessed July 22, 2025,
Evaluating eDNA and metabarcoding as biodiversity monitoring tools, accessed July 22, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Hydrology as a Determinant of Riparian Habitat Structure in Lowland River Floodplains, accessed July 22, 2025,
Hydrology as a Determinant of Riparian Habitat Structure in Lowland River Floodplains, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support

Hydrology as a Determinant of Riparian Habitat Structure in Lowland River Floodplains

View Source
Preview of Investigating semi-arid vertebrate communities from different quality habitats using eDNA derived from soils - GUPEA, accessed July 22, 2025,
Investigating semi-arid vertebrate communities from different quality habitats using eDNA derived from soils - GUPEA, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Investigating semi-arid vertebrate communities from different quality habitats using eDNA derived from soils - GUPEA

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

Environmental DNA testing of regional waterways - Landscape SA

View Source
Preview of Large, connected floodplain forests prone to flooding best sustain plant diversity - PubMed, accessed July 22, 2025,
Large, connected floodplain forests prone to flooding best sustain plant diversity - PubMed, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Large, connected floodplain forests prone to flooding best sustain plant diversity - PubMed

View Source
Preview of Review of: Riverine Flood Plains: Present State and Future Trends - ScholarWorks at University of Montana, accessed July 22, 2025,
Review of: Riverine Flood Plains: Present State and Future Trends - ScholarWorks at University of Montana, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support

Review of: Riverine Flood Plains: Present State and Future Trends - ScholarWorks at University of Montana

View Source
Preview of The Great Australian Wildlife Search announces public release of eDNA data across Australia's largest river system - EnviroDNA, accessed August 12, 2025
The Great Australian Wildlife Search announces public release of eDNA data across Australia's largest river system - EnviroDNA, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A Pilot Study on the Utility of eDNA Monitoring for Inland Australian Waterbirds - Macquarie University

View Source
Preview of What lies beneath the water? | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed July 22, 2025,
What lies beneath the water? | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed July 22, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

ECOLOGICALLY FUNCTIONAL FLOODPLAINS: CONNECTIVITY, FLOW REGIME, AND SCALE1 - NOAA, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 8 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always better up to natural saturation. This benchmark is a conservative estimate due to under-sampling and methodological variability. It is not a rigid threshold but a reference point for healthy ecosystem function. High total richness inflated by invasive species indicates degradation.