eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-AIF-FOR-DNA General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 15 to 25 presence/absence
Optimal Range: 15 to 25
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Based on this evidence, the reference value for a high-health system is a detection range of 15-25 native vertebrate taxa.

Metric Definition:

Number of native vertebrate taxa detected via eDNA metabarcoding from water samples

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the best available condition for native vertebrate biodiversity detected by eDNA in Australian Arid Inland Floodplains & Ephemeral River Systems under production forestry land use.

Justification:

This value is a scientifically defensible proxy derived from high-health sites surveyed in the Great Australian Wildlife Search (GAWS) program, which employs standardized, large-scale, and rigorous methods.

Sources (1)

Preview of The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Biodiversity Findings Report Spring 2024
The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Biodiversity Findings Report Spring 2024 Journal

eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source

Supporting Sources (35)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Environmental DNA reveals temporal and spatial variability of invertebrate communities in arid-lands ephemeral water bodies - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025
(PDF) Environmental DNA reveals temporal and spatial variability of invertebrate communities in arid-lands ephemeral water bodies - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australia's State of the Forests Report - DAFF, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Experimental evaluation of environmental DNA methods for detection of a rare fish in turbid water - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,
(PDF) Experimental evaluation of environmental DNA methods for detection of a rare fish in turbid water - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Experimental evaluation of environmental DNA methods for detection of a rare fish in turbid water - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of A Pilot Study on the Utility of eDNA Monitoring for Inland Australian Waterbirds - Macquarie University, accessed July 20, 2025,
A Pilot Study on the Utility of eDNA Monitoring for Inland Australian Waterbirds - Macquarie University, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Factors influencing detection of eDNA from a stream-dwelling amphibian | Request PDF, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of ABARES report reaffirms sustainability, sovereign capability and climate credentials of Australian native forestry, accessed August 10, 2025,
ABARES report reaffirms sustainability, sovereign capability and climate credentials of Australian native forestry, accessed August 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Review of fertiliser use in Australian forestry - Forest & Wood Products Australia

View Source
Preview of Case Study 2 The Murray-Darling Basin  an ecological and human tragedy, accessed July 20, 2025,
Case Study 2 The Murray-Darling Basin  an ecological and human tragedy, accessed July 20, 2025,
Irrelevant

Case Study 2 The Murray-Darling Basin – an ecological and human tragedy, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Certification - Forestry Corporation, accessed July 20, 2025,
Certification - Forestry Corporation, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australian Forest Management Certification | Forest Stewardship Council, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 20, 2025,
Criteria and Indicators for Sustainable Forest Management in Victoria, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australia's State of the Forests Report - DAFF, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Darling River ecosystem | EBSCO Research Starters
Darling River ecosystem | EBSCO Research Starters
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A systematic review of ecological attributes that confer resilience to climate change in environmental restoration - PubMed Central, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water bodies in a semiarid habitat using eDNA from filtered, swept, and sediment samples, accessed July 20, 2025,
Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water bodies in a semiarid habitat using eDNA from filtered, swept, and sediment samples, accessed July 20, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water bodies in a semi‐arid habitat using eDNA from filtered, swept, and sediment samples, accessed July 20, 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 biomonitoring – Towards a new generation of ecological assessment tools for managing coastal environments - CSIRO Research

View Source
Preview of eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 10, 2025
eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Murray–Darling Basin Authority. (2024). EDNA Results From The Great Australian Wildlife Search.

View Source
Preview of eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | MurrayDarling Basin Authority, accessed July 20, 2025,
eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | MurrayDarling Basin Authority, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

eDNA results from the Great Australian Wildlife Search | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions, accessed August 12, 2025
EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions, accessed August 12, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia, accessed July 20, 2025,
Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Environmental DNA (eDNA) in the ALA - Atlas of Living Australia, accessed July 20, 2025

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 August 12, 2025
Evaluating eDNA and metabarcoding as biodiversity monitoring tools, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Government

eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, 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,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of Forest Certification - Forestry Australia, accessed July 20, 2025,
Forest Certification - Forestry Australia, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Forest Certification - Forestry Australia, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Forest management certification | WoodSolutions, accessed July 20, 2025,
Forest management certification | WoodSolutions, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support

Forest management certification | WoodSolutions, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of FSC�ae Forest Certification | SCS Global Services, accessed July 20, 2025,
FSC�ae Forest Certification | SCS Global Services, accessed July 20, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Government

FSC® Forest Certification | SCS Global Services, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Long‐term livestock exclusion increases plant richness and reproductive capacity in arid woodlands, accessed August 28, 2025,
Long‐term livestock exclusion increases plant richness and reproductive capacity in arid woodlands, accessed August 28, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Biodiversity decline and habitat degradation in the arid and semi-arid Australian rangelands due to the proliferation, placement and management of artificial watering points - DCCEEW

View Source
Preview of On the uniqueness of functional redundancy - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,
On the uniqueness of functional redundancy - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

On the uniqueness of functional redundancy - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Operationalizing Ecological Resilience Concepts for Managing Species and Ecosystems at Risk - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025,
Operationalizing Ecological Resilience Concepts for Managing Species and Ecosystems at Risk - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Operationalizing Ecological Resilience Concepts for Managing Species and Ecosystems at Risk - Frontiers, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Resilience of aquatic systems: Review and management implications - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025,
Resilience of aquatic systems: Review and management implications - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Resilience of aquatic systems: Review and management implications - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Resilience of floodplain ecosystems in a semi-arid environment - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 20, 2025,
Resilience of floodplain ecosystems in a semi-arid environment - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Creating a sustainable Murray-Darling - The Nature Conservancy Australia, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of Results — Great Australian Wildlife Search
Results — Great Australian Wildlife Search
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Australian Wildlife Search - Biodiversity Findings Report Spring 2023

View Source
Preview of Revolutionising environmental monitoring using eDNA - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025
Revolutionising environmental monitoring using eDNA - CSIRO, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Environmental DNA (eDNA) - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

View Source
Preview of The 10 Australian ecosystems most vulnerable to tipping points - Charles Darwin University, accessed July 20, 2025,
The 10 Australian ecosystems most vulnerable to tipping points - Charles Darwin University, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

The 10 Australian ecosystems most vulnerable to tipping points - Charles Darwin University, accessed July 20, 2025

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
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of The Great Australian Wildlife Search Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists, accessed August 12, 2025
The Great Australian Wildlife Search Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists, accessed August 12, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Murray–Darling Basin Spring 2024 Biodiversity Findings Report, accessed July 20, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists., accessed August 12, 2025
The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists., accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What lies beneath the water? | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists., accessed July 20, 2025,
The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists., accessed July 20, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

The Great Australian Wildlife Search: Large-scale biodiversity assessments using eDNA metabarcoding and citizen scientists., accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Tracing waterbirds in water: a pilot study on the utility of eDNA ..., accessed July 20, 2025,
Tracing waterbirds in water: a pilot study on the utility of eDNA ..., accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Tracing waterbirds in water: a pilot study on the utility of eDNA ..., accessed July 20, 2025,

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 Production Forestry
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • 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. The benchmark is based on proxy sites representing high ecological condition, not sites explicitly defined by the specified land use (certified production forestry). AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.