An environmentally and economically significant region of Australia
“Following decades of environmental stress caused by farming, drought and other climate change related pressures, it is exciting to be able to bring this groundbreaking eDNA technology to the Murray–Darling Basin, so that a baseline for ecological health can be determined.”
Sasha Wells, Manager Great Australian Wildlife Search, Odonata Foundation
A snapshot of the Murray-Darling Basin
124 families of macroinvertebrates.
85 mammal species (20 of which are extinct,
16 endangered).
46 snake species (5 endangered)
3 freshwater turtle species.
Over 50 native fish species.
100 lizard species
(1 endangered).
31 native frogs species.
367 bird species (35 of which are endangered), including 98 species of waterbirds.
The Murray–Darling Basin is home to hundreds of wildlife species, some of which are threatened and need protecting.
Conducting eDNA water sampling in the region allows the detection of traces of DNA that wildlife shed into their environment. This then helps scientists identify and determine the distribution of wildlife and threatened aquatic species, such as the growling grass frog or Murray River short-necked turtle, and in turn supports conservation efforts to protect them.
Native animals also provide an economic benefit to Basin communities by bringing tourists to the regions, which is another important reason to maintain diversity and ecosystem health.
Threatened species in the Basin
There are a number of threatened species who call the Basin home, will you uncover any in your water samples?
Here are just a few of our favourites:
Macquarie perch
Murray river rainbow fish
Murray cod
Growling grass frog
Green and golden bell frog
Brown toadlet
Murray-River short-necked turtle