Ranking and mapping koala habitat quality for conservation planning on the basis of indirect evidence of tree-species use: a case study of Noosa Shire, south-eastern Queensland

2011 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 89 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Callaghan ◽  
Clive McAlpine ◽  
David Mitchell ◽  
Jane Thompson ◽  
Michiala Bowen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Indirect Evidence ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Eucalypt Species ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Key Tree

Context Mapping the habitat and distribution of a species is critical for developing effective conservation plans. Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus, Phascolarctidae) distribution is constrained by the nutritional and shelter requirements provided by a relatively small number of key tree species in any given area. Identifying these key species provides a practical foundation for mapping koala habitat and prioritising areas for conservation. Aims To determine key tree species for koalas in Noosa Shire (south-eastern Queensland, Australia) as a basis for mapping koala habitat quality. Methods We applied a faecal-pellet survey methodology in 1996/97 to assess evidence of use by koalas of 4031 trees from 96 randomly stratified survey sites across different eucalypt-forest and woodland communities. Results were compared with those from a later survey undertaken in 2001/02 involving 5535 trees from 195 sites that were distributed across broadly similar areas with the aim to investigate aspects of koala landscape ecology. Key results A total of 66.7% of the 1996/97 survey sites contained koala faecal pellets, recorded under 953 eucalypt trees (14 species) and 1670 non-eucalypt trees (27 species). The proportion of trees at a given survey site that had koala faecal pellets at the base ranged from 2.2% to 94.7% (mean = 31.13 ± 2.59% s.e.). For the 2001/02 dataset, koala pellets were found at 55.4% of sites, from 794 eucalypt and 2240 non-eucalypt trees. The proportion of trees with pellets ranged from 3% to 80% (mean = 21.07 ± 1.77% s.e.). Both the 1996/97 and 2001/02 surveys identified the same three tree species (forest red gum, Eucalyptus tereticornis, swamp mahogany, E. robusta, and tallowwood, E. microcorys) as the highest-ranked for koala use in the study area. Three additional species (red mahogany, E. resinifera, small-fruited grey gum, E. propinqua, and grey ironbark, E. siderophloia) were identified in the 1996/97 surveys as key eucalypt species. Of the non-eucalypts in the 1996/97 dataset, coast cypress pine (Callitris columellaris) and broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquenervia) ranked highest for use by koalas, followed by pink bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia) and brush box (Lophostemon confertus). White bottlebrush (Callistemon salignus), hard corkwood (Endiandra sieberi), M. quinquenervia and C. intermedia ranked highest in the 2001/02 dataset. The findings showed significantly greater use of larger eucalypts (i.e. 300-mm to >600-mm diameter at breast height). Conclusions The identified key eucalypt species, being the critical limiting resource for koalas, were used to assign koala habitat-quality classes to mapped regional ecosystem types to create a Koala Habitat Atlas (KHA) for Noosa Shire. The combined two highest quality classes based on abundance of the key eucalypt species comprised only 15.7% of the total land area of the Shire. Implications The KHA approach provides a practical and repeatable method for developing koala habitat-suitability mapping for national-, regional- and local-scale conservation and recovery planning purposes.

The habitat and diet of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Queensland

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 189 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alistair Melzer ◽  
Romane Cristescu ◽  
William Ellis ◽  
Sean FitzGibbon ◽  
Gabriella Manno
Keyword(s):  
Climate Variability ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Leaf Cuticle ◽  
Eucalypt Species ◽  
Unidentified Species ◽  
Browse Species ◽  
Stochastic Events ◽  
Trace Components

Descriptions of koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) habitat and diet from 11 sites across Queensland are presented. Koala activity was recorded from 49 regional ecosystems across nine land zones and five bioregions. Thirty-four tree species were identified from an examination of leaf cuticle fragments in faecal pellets. Although the species were from three families and seven genera, 44% of browse species (15) belonged to the myrtaceous subgenus Symphomyrtus. Eleven of these contributed most of the koala diet across all sites. However, most species were present in minor or trace dietary elements. There was also a large number of unidentified species or dietary elements, all of which were usually present in trace amounts. The importance of these minor and trace components is not known. Diet at some sites was founded on a single eucalypt species. Here the likelihood of those sites’ browse resources being lost or degraded by stochastic events, as climate variability increases, raises questions about the persistence of the resident koala populations.

Tree species preferences of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in the Campbelltown area south-west of Sydney, New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (5) ◽  
pp. 509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
John Callaghan
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Nutrient Status ◽  
Limiting Factors ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South West ◽  
Independent Field ◽  
Preferred Species ◽  
Species Preferences

Tree species preferences of a koala population inhabiting a small area of forest and woodland in the Campbelltown area, south-west of Sydney, were investigated over a two-year period. In total, 2499 trees from 45 independent field sites were assessed, with tree species preferences determined on the basis of a comparative analysis of proportional data relating to the presence/absence of koala faecal pellets. The results established that grey gum (Eucalyptus punctata) and blue-leaved stringybark (E. agglomerata) were most preferred by koalas in the study area, but only when growing on shale-based substrates. The preferential utilisation of E. punctata and E. agglomerata on substrates derived from shales, compared with that recorded for the same species on sandstones, suggests that their use by koalas was influenced by differences in nutrient status between substrates. Regression analyses further identified a trend for use of at least one of the preferred species (E. punctata) to be more commonly associated with larger trees. Results are discussed in terms of their relevance to issues of resource availability and the need to reconsider, by way of a hierarchical approach, the use of food trees by koalas generally. The presence of E. punctata and E. agglomerata and their occurrence in conjunction with shale-based substrates are considered to be important limiting factors affecting the present-day distribution and abundance of koalas in the Campbelltown area.

Koala feeding and roosting trees in the Campbelltown area of New South Wales.

2001 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 173 ◽  
Author(s):  
AF Sluiter ◽  
RL Close ◽  
SJ Ward
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Quality ◽  
New South ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
Radio Tracking ◽  
Separate Study ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Dietary Preference ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Preferred Species

IN assessing habitat quality for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), the relative importance of trees used for food and for roosting must be established. Robbins and Russell (1978) and Hindell et al. (1985) suggested that trees in which P. cinereus roosted by day reliably predicted the trees they browsed. Tun (1993) and Hasegawa (1995), however, using leaf cuticle analysis of P. cinereus faecal pellets, questioned that suggestion . Phillips and Callaghan (2000) investigated preferences of P. cinereus in the Campbelltown area, 40 km southwest of Sydney, by recording the presence of faecal pellets beneath trees in survey quadrats. They concluded that Eucalyptus punctata (grey gum) and E. agglomerata (blue-leaved stringy bark) were preferred species on shale-based soils. However, this method still does not distinguish between trees used for roosting and those used for feeding. Cuticle analysis was therefore used at Campbelltown as a test of dietary preference (Table 1). These data on species use were compared with sightings from a radio-tracking study of the same individuals (Table 2), in a separate study (Ward 2002).

Do Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus use trees planted on farms? A case study from north-west New South Wales, Australia.

2014 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan G. Rhind ◽  
Murray V. Ellis ◽  
Martin Smith ◽  
Daniel Lunney
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Public Funding ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
North West ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Trees On Farms ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Source Populations

Biodiversity benefits are routinely cited as an outcome of planting trees on farms but there has been too little information to properly substantiate such claims. This study is among the first to examine the use of plantings by arboreal mammals. We examined an important inland koala population and its use of farm revegetation to determine: (1) if koalas use planted trees; (2) patch characteristics correlated with use/non-use by koalas; and, (3) contextual characteristics correlated with use/non-use. Surveys of koala dung, also known as scats or faecal pellets, were conducted under trees in 19 plantings. Fourteen showed signs of koalas and their pellets were recorded under 16 of the 25 tree taxa examined. All sizes and ages of trees were used, including the youngest plantings (six years). Considerable koala activity occurred in the various Eucalyptus species, but some tree species were not used. Koalas made substantial use of inland ironbark species, which are not listed as ‘koala food trees’ in government policy documents. Proximity to potential source populations of koalas was the strongest predictor of a planting being used, but this was further improved by including the age of the planting. There is extensive public funding available for restoration and land care activities. This study demonstrates that certain trees rapidly provide koala habitat when planted on farms and that the first priority should be restoring sites in close proximity to known koala populations. Tree species used should include local recognized food trees, as well as ironbarks and non-eucalyptus species that offer shelter.

scholarly journals Spatial Assessment of the Potential Impact of Infrastructure Development on Biodiversity Conservation in Lowland Nepal

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 365 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roshan Sharma ◽  
Bhagawat Rimal ◽  
Nigel Stork ◽  
Himlal Baral ◽  
Maheshwar Dhakal
Keyword(s):  
Protected Areas ◽  
Habitat Quality ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Remotely Sensed Data ◽  
Buffer Zones ◽  
Ecological Sites ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
Anthropogenic Threats ◽  
The Impact

Biodiversity is declining at an unprecedented rate with infrastructure development being one of the leading causes. New infrastructure, such as roads, provides new access and results in increased land clearing and wildlife hunting. A number of large infrastructure projects, including new roads and rail, are being planned in Nepal. We show the application of readily available remotely sensed data and geospatial tools to assess the potential impact of these future developments on habitat quality under three protection-level scenarios. Our findings reveal that there is currently large spatial heterogeneity in habitat quality across the landscape as a result of current anthropogenic threats, and that three areas in particular could have up to 40% reduction in habitat quality as a result of the planned infrastructure. Further research is required to determine more precisely the impact on key species. Strengthening protected areas and buffer zones will contribute to mitigating degradation to some degree, however, large areas of biologically significant areas outside protected areas will be affected without new controls. Our geographic information systems (GIS) based methodology could be used to conduct studies in data poor developing countries, where rapid infrastructure development across ecological sites are ongoing, in order to make society, policy makers, and development planners aware.

The spatial and temporal distribution of koala faecal pellets

1998 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 663 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. A. H. Ellis ◽  
B. J. Sullivan ◽  
A. T. Lisle ◽  
F. N. Carrick
Keyword(s):  
Significant Relationship ◽  
Average Length ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Distribution ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
Pellet Production ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Free Ranging

Faecal pellets were collected under trees used by free-ranging koalas in south-western, central and south-eastern Queensland to determine the spatial and temporal distribution of pellets with respect to the activity of koalas. Deposition of faecal pellets by koalas was analysed according to the time of day at which the tree was occupied. For free-ranging koalas, 47% of daily faecal pellet output was recovered using a collection mat of 8 × 8 m placed under a day-roost tree. The best predictor of pellet production was the presence of a koala in a tree between 1800 hours and midnight. For other periods, there was no relationship between period of tree occupancy and faecal pellet recovery. There was a significant relationship between the average length of tree occupancy and the time of day that a koala entered a tree.

scholarly journals Influence of Drought on Foliar Water Uptake Capacity of Temperate Tree Species

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeroen D.M. Schreel ◽  
Jonas S. von der Crone ◽  
Ott Kangur ◽  
Kathy Steppe
Keyword(s):  
Water Potential ◽  
Soil Water ◽  
Water Uptake ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Soil Water Potential ◽  
Future Research ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Foliar Water Uptake ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Key Tree

Foliar water uptake (FWU) has been investigated in an increasing number of species from a variety of areas but has remained largely understudied in deciduous, temperate tree species from non-foggy regions. As leaf wetting events frequently occur in temperate regions, FWU might be more important than previously thought and should be investigated. As climate change progresses, the number of drought events is expected to increase, basically resulting in a decreasing number of leaf wetting events, which might make FWU a seemingly less important mechanism. However, the impact of drought on FWU might not be that unidirectional because drought will also cause a more negative tree water potential, which is expected to result in more FWU. It yet remains unclear whether drought results in a general increase or decrease in the amount of water absorbed by leaves. The main objectives of this study are, therefore: (i) to assess FWU-capacity in nine widely distributed key tree species from temperate regions, and (ii) to investigate the effect of drought on FWU in these species. Based on measurements of leaf and soil water potential and FWU-capacity, the effect of drought on FWU in temperate tree species was assessed. Eight out of nine temperate tree species were able to absorb water via their leaves. The amount of water absorbed by leaves and the response of this plant trait to drought were species-dependent, with a general increase in the amount of water absorbed as leaf water potential decreased. This relationship was less pronounced when using soil water potential as an independent variable. We were able to classify species according to their response in FWU to drought at the leaf level, but this classification changed when using drought at the soil level, and was driven by iso- and anisohydric behavior. FWU hence occurred in several key tree species from temperate regions, be it with some variability, which potentially allows these species to partly reduce the effects of drought stress. We recommend including this mechanism in future research regarding plant–water relations and to investigate the impact of different pathways used for FWU.

The production and persistence of grazed irrigated pasture mixtures in south-eastern Queensland

1968 ◽  
Vol 8 (31) ◽  
pp. 177 ◽  
Author(s):  
RJ Jones ◽  
Davies J Griffiths ◽  
RB Waite ◽  
IF Fergus
Keyword(s):  
White Clover ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rest Period ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
Temperate Species ◽  
First Year ◽  
Nitrogen Levels ◽  
South Eastern ◽  
Key Species ◽  
Significant Difference

Five irrigated pasture mixtures (four containing tropical and temperate species and one containing only temperate species (winter mixture) ) were compared under grazing at three nitrogen levels -nil, 100, and 300 lb N an acre a year as urea-over a four-year period 1960-1963. Pastures were grazed for approximately one week every six weeks with a twelve-week rest period in the winter of 1962 and 1963. Under this management mean annual yields of dry matter increased from 15,700 lb to 25,000 lb an acre over the four-year period. Pasture growth rates varied from over 90 lb DM an acre a day in early summer to 10-40 lb DM an acre a day in winter due to variations in radiation and temperature. Urea increased pasture dry matter yields and also the yields of nitrogen measured in 1961 and 1962. Mean response was 19 lb and 14.5 lb DM/lb N applied at the N100 and N300 rates respectively. Yield of nitrogen was increased by a mean of 79 lb an acre a year by application of urea, but there was no significant difference between rates. Dry matter responses to urea were small in winter and spring and large in summer and autumn. The N300 rate reduced the yield of white clover in the first two years of the pasture, but there was no reduction in the yield of white clover at the N100 rate compared with the N0 treatment. There were no significant differences in yield between the pasture mixtures in the establishment year. In subsequent years mixtures containing summer and winter species outyielded (P<0.001) the winter mixture, particularly in summer and autumn. The pattern of production was similar for all mixtures and there was no significant difference between mixtures in yield of nitrogen. Chloris gayana Kunth CV. Samford and Setaria sphacelata (Schum) Stapf and C. E. Hubbard CV. Nandi. were the most successful summer grasses and Bromus unioloides (Willd.) H.B.K. cv. Priebes, the best winter grass. Three Paspalum species failed to compete with the Setaria and three winter grasses were low yielding after the first year. Trifolium repens L. CV. Ladino was the only successful legume of three winter and three summer legumes sown. It enabled yields of 400 lb N an acre a year to be achieved, increased total soil nitrogen, and made an estimated contribution of 760-810 lb N an acre over the four-year period. It is considered to be the key species for irrigated pastures in south-eastern Queensland.

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