eDNA Biodiversity Detection

AUS-TGP-AGR-DNA General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

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

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, 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.

Evidence & Context

The reference value is a derived range representing the 75th to 95th percentile of native vertebrate species richness detected via eDNA metabarcoding from water samples at sites within the Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains biome, as part of the Great Australian Wildlife Search program.

Metric Definition:

Number of native vertebrate species detected per water sample using eDNA metabarcoding.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the range of native vertebrate species richness detected by eDNA metabarcoding in water samples, indicating high ecological health in agricultural cropping systems within the Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains biome.

Justification:

Derived from the 75th to 95th percentile of native species richness in the Great Australian Wildlife Search dataset, representing the best available proxy for high ecological health in the target biome.

Sources (1)

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 Government

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

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in agricultural systems: Current uses, limitations and future prospects - PubMed, accessed July 23, 2025,
Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in agricultural systems: Current uses, limitations and future prospects - PubMed, accessed July 23, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Applications of environmental DNA (eDNA) in agricultural systems: Current uses, limitations and future prospects - PubMed

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
Direct Evidence Journal

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

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 Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,
Processes underpinning natural capital account compilation highlight the potential for low-input grazing to mitigate farm carbon emissions while also improving biodiversity outcomes - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Vegetation change in an urban grassy woodland 1974–2000 - CSIRO Publishing

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher native vertebrate species richness is beneficial. Functional state thresholds are based on species composition; no specific lower critical threshold defined. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.