eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TMS-FOR-DNA General Low confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 3 to 29 species per site
Optimal Range: 3 to 29
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

The reference value provided is therefore a proxy, derived from a methodologically robust and publicly available study of vertebrate biodiversity in temperate Australian catchments. The value represents the full range of total vertebrate taxa (native and introduced) detected per site across 41 locations with mixed land use.

Metric Definition:

Aquatic vertebrate taxon richness detected by environmental DNA metabarcoding per site.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the range of total vertebrate taxa detected per site by eDNA metabarcoding in temperate Australian catchments, used as a proxy for biodiversity detection in Tropical Monsoonal Savannas under production forestry.

Justification:

The confidence level is rated Low due to the significant mismatch between the source study and the target context in biome, land use, and geography.

Sources (1)

Preview of Community baseline vertebrate biodiversity surveys in the Hornsby ..., accessed July 24, 2025
Community baseline vertebrate biodiversity surveys in the Hornsby ..., accessed July 24, 2025

Past, present, and future perspectives on environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding - ScholarWorks @ UTRGV

View Source

Supporting Sources (33)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Dynamics of Invertebrate Diversity in a Tropical Stream - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025
(PDF) Dynamics of Invertebrate Diversity in a Tropical Stream - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Diversity of invertebrates in wet tropics streams: patterns and processes, accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of A scientific review of the impacts of land clearing on threatened species in Queensland 2016, accessed July 24, 2025
A scientific review of the impacts of land clearing on threatened species in Queensland 2016, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A scientific review of the impacts of land clearing on threatened species in Queensland 2016, accessed July 24, 2025,

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 Methodology Source Journal

Environmental DNA from semi-arid artificial waterbodies: A breakthrough in monitoring a nationally threatened ground-nesting bird. - eDNA Conference, accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Assessing the efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding for measuring microbial biodiversity within forest ecosystems - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025,
Assessing the efficacy of eDNA metabarcoding for measuring microbial biodiversity within forest ecosystems - PMC, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

EDNA Forest Biomonitoring → Term, accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of Australian forest profiles - DAFF, accessed May 16, 2025,
Australian forest profiles - DAFF, accessed May 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The terrestrial and semi‐aquatic invertebrates of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Community baseline vertebrate biodiversity surveys in the Hornsby Council region using environmental DNA (eDNA), accessed July 24, 2025
Community baseline vertebrate biodiversity surveys in the Hornsby Council region using environmental DNA (eDNA), accessed July 24, 2025
Direct Evidence

Community baseline vertebrate biodiversity surveys in the Hornsby Council region using environmental DNA (eDNA), accessed July 24, 2025

View Source
Preview of Deforestation explained - Wilderness Society, accessed July 24, 2025
Deforestation explained - Wilderness Society, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Little left to lose: deforestation and forest degradation in Australia ..., accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water ...
Detection of vertebrates from natural and artificial inland water ...
Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

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

View Source
Preview of 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 24, 2025
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 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Optimizing waterborne eDNA capture from waterholes in savanna systems under remote field conditions - PubMed, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Dynamics of Invertebrate Diversity in a Tropical Stream - MDPI, accessed July 24, 2025
Dynamics of Invertebrate Diversity in a Tropical Stream - MDPI, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Dynamics of Invertebrate Diversity in a Tropical Stream - MDPI, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Ecologically sustainable forest management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed July 24, 2025
Ecologically sustainable forest management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Ecologically sustainable forest management - Local Land Services - NSW Government, accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 24, 2025
eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 24, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

eDNA methods for tropical waters - Northern Australia - Resilient Landscapes Hub, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of eDNA: The new science behind measuring biodiversity - ICMM, accessed July 24, 2025
eDNA: The new science behind measuring biodiversity - ICMM, accessed July 24, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

eDNA techniques detect the elusive Pilbara olive python - Biologic Environmental

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

EnviroDNA: eDNA Biodiversity Monitoring Solutions

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Preview of Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of ...

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Preview of Environmental DNA (eDNA) based fish biodiversity assessment of two Himalayan rivers of Nepal reveals diversity differences and highlights new species distribution records - Research journals, accessed July 24, 2025
Environmental DNA (eDNA) based fish biodiversity assessment of two Himalayan rivers of Nepal reveals diversity differences and highlights new species distribution records - Research journals, accessed July 24, 2025
Irrelevant Methodology Source Journal

Environmental DNA (eDNA) based fish biodiversity assessment of two Himalayan rivers of Nepal reveals diversity differences and highlights new species distribution records - Research journals, 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,
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Artificial Waterbodies: A Valuable Source of eDNA for Detecting ..., accessed July 19, 2025

View Source
Preview of Environmental DNA and wildlife camera traps uncover complimentary vertebrate visitation patterns at freshwater granite rock-hole - bioRxiv, accessed July 24, 2025
Environmental DNA and wildlife camera traps uncover complimentary vertebrate visitation patterns at freshwater granite rock-hole - bioRxiv, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Environmental DNA and wildlife camera traps uncover complimentary vertebrate visitation patterns at freshwater granite rock-hole - bioRxiv, accessed July 24, 2025,

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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 Methodology Source GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of Indicators of Biodiversity for Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management, accessed July 24, 2025
Indicators of Biodiversity for Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Indicators of Biodiversity for Ecologically Sustainable Forest Management, accessed July 24, 2025,

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,

View Source
Preview of Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Joint media release: eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the ..., accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Murray–Darling Basin Authority. (2024). eDNA results reveal rich biodiversity in the Murray–Darling Basin. Joint Media Release.

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Preview of Management approaches | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 24, 2025
Management approaches | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Forest Management Plan | Department of Biodiversity, Conservation ...

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Preview of Monitoring the Distribution and Dynamics of an Invasive Grass in Tropical Savanna Using Airborne LiDAR - MDPI, accessed July 23, 2025,
Monitoring the Distribution and Dynamics of an Invasive Grass in Tropical Savanna Using Airborne LiDAR - MDPI, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Overview of Ecological Indicators of Fish to Evaluate the Anthropogenic Pressures in Aquatic Ecosystems: From Traditional to Innovative DNA-Based Approaches - MDPI, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of NATT the backbone of NT research - TERN Australia, accessed July 24, 2025
NATT the backbone of NT research - TERN Australia, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Government

NATT the backbone of NT research - TERN Australia, accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed August 11, 2025
Overgrazing & Reducing Grazing Pressure | Bush Heritage Australia, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Reshaping forest management in Australia to provide nature-based solutions to global challenges, accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of Reshaping forest management in Australia to provide nature-based solutions to global challenges - Independent Planning Commission, accessed July 12, 2025,
Reshaping forest management in Australia to provide nature-based solutions to global challenges - Independent Planning Commission, accessed July 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Top 6 Sustainable Forest Management Techniques, accessed July 24, 2025,

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

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

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Preview of Sustainable forest management: the Australian context - DAFF, accessed July 24, 2025
Sustainable forest management: the Australian context - DAFF, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Sustainable forest management: the Australian context - DAFF, accessed July 24, 2025,

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Preview of Technical Report Using Biological Indicators to Monitor the Health of Freshwater Ecosystems, accessed July 24, 2025
Technical Report Using Biological Indicators to Monitor the Health of Freshwater Ecosystems, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Methodology Source

Technical Report Using Biological Indicators to Monitor the Health of Freshwater Ecosystems, accessed July 24, 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
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of The terrestrial and semi‐aquatic invertebrates of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025,
The terrestrial and semi‐aquatic invertebrates of intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Fishes in the forest: High biodiversity and endemism, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Turning to eDNA to track endangered species in East Australia - Illumina, accessed July 11, 2025,
Turning to eDNA to track endangered species in East Australia - Illumina, accessed July 11, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

A comprehensive evaluation of taxonomic classifiers in marine ...

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Production Forestry
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

The optimal range is a proxy from temperate mixed-use catchments, not tropical monsoonal savannas. No direct numeric lower critical threshold is appropriate; the threshold is defined by compositional shifts indicating ecosystem collapse. No upper detrimental threshold exists for native species richness; composition and invasive species proportion are critical. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.