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.

Tree Use by Individual Koalas in a Natural Forest.

1988 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Hindell ◽  
AK Lee
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Natural Forest ◽  
Home Ranges ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Preferred Species

The home ranges and species of trees used by 20 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) were determined in a forest in Victoria containing 6 Eucalyptus spp. Eight animals showed a preference for a tree species from those available within their home ranges. Four koalas preferred E. viminalis, 2 E. ovata and 2 E. macrorhyncha. Preference for tree species was detected only where the preferred species was in low abundance within the animal's home range. These observations confirm that koalas may show individual differences in the species of food trees they prefer. E. viminalis, the preferred species of this population, was the predominant tree species within the home range of 15 of the koalas, which may account for the lack of evidence of preference in the majority of animals.

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.

scholarly journals Low-density koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the mulgalands of south-west Queensland. II. Distribution and diet

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 331 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Sullivan ◽  
W. M. Norris ◽  
G. S. Baxter
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Design ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Stratified Sampling ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Dietary Composition ◽  
Low Density ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South West ◽  
Biogeographic Region

This study used faecal pellets to investigate the broadscale distribution and diet of koalas in the mulgalands biogeographic region of south-west Queensland. Koala distribution was determined by conducting faecal pellet searches within a 30-cm radius of the base of eucalypts on 149 belt transects, located using a multi-scaled stratified sampling design. Cuticular analysis of pellets collected from 22 of these sites was conducted to identify the dietary composition of koalas within the region. Our data suggest that koala distribution is concentrated in the northern and more easterly regions of the study area, and appears to be strongly linked with annual rainfall. Over 50% of our koala records were obtained from non-riverine communities, indicating that koalas in the study area are not primarily restricted to riverine communities, as has frequently been suggested. Cuticular analysis indicates that more than 90% of koala diet within the region consists of five eucalypt species. Our data highlights the importance of residual Tertiary landforms to koala conservation in the region.

The tree species preferences of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) inhabiting forest and woodland communities on Quaternary deposits in the Port Stephens area, New South Wales

2000 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Phillips ◽  
John Callaghan ◽  
Valerie Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Eucalyptus Species ◽  
Quaternary Deposits ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Species Preferences ◽  
Woodland Communities ◽  
Port Stephens

An assessment of the tree species preferences of koalas inhabiting forest and woodland communities growing on Quaternary deposits in the Port Stephens area, New South Wales, was undertaken between November 1994 and March 1996. Using a plot-based methodology, 3847 trees were sampled, comprising 15 Eucalyptus species and 17 species of non-eucalypt. Evidence of tree use by koalas, specifically the presence of koala faecal pellets, was recorded from beneath 10 Eucalyptus species and 9 species of non-eucalypt. Tree species preferences were determined by analyses of log- likelihood ratios derived from data based on the presence/absence of koala faecal pellets, rather than on gross counts. This approach confirmed significant variation in the levels of utilisation amongst and between different tree species, and that two in particular – swamp mahogany (E. robusta) and drooping red gum (E. parramattensis) – were most preferred. Increases in the levels of use of other tree species were also positively associated with the presence of E. robusta and/or E. parramattensis. Levels of utilisation of E. robusta and E. parramattensis did not alter significantly in response to changes in their respective densities, suggesting that the relative abundance of both was important in terms of understanding the carrying capacity of vegetation communities utilised by koalas. The results have established the success with which an enumerative approach to the interpretation of faecal pellet data can be utilised to clarify the tree species preferences of koalas. Application of the approach for habitat assessment and mapping purposes is also discussed.

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.

Sexual maturity, factors affecting the breeding season and breeding in consecutive seasons in populations of overabundant Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

2006 ◽  
Vol 54 (6) ◽  
pp. 385 ◽  
Author(s):  
Natasha McLean ◽  
Kathrine A. Handasyde
Keyword(s):  
Population Dynamics ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Island Population ◽  
Population Parameters ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Reproductive Patterns ◽  
South West

It is important to have knowledge of basic population parameters to understand how these vary geographically and temporally and how they contribute to population dynamics. This paper investigates three of these parameters in Victorian koala populations: sexual maturity, aspects of the breeding season, and the continuity of individuals’ breeding. The investigation was carried out in koalas of known-age in two free-living (Redbill Creek on French Island and Brisbane Ranges) and one semi-captive (the Koala Conservation Centre on Phillip Island) population as well as koalas of unknown age in four Victorian populations of overabundant koalas: Mt Eccles and Framlingham in south-west Victoria, French Island in Western Port and Snake Island in south Gippsland. At sexual maturity, female koalas had a mean age (±95% confidence interval) of 24.4 months (23.5–25.3 months), a mean head length of 125 mm (124–127 mm) and a mean body mass of 6.6 kg (6.3–6.8 kg). Only 7.4% of independent females (of unknown age) were carrying young when they weighed less than 6 kg. The breeding season was more restricted in the south-west populations. At Framlingham and Mt Eccles 85% and 91% of births, respectively, occurred between December and March. At Snake and French Islands only 46% and 53% of births, respectively, were recorded in the same period. In the Chlamydia-free population (Red Bill Creek) none of the koalas that were monitored stopped breeding and then resumed breeding in a subsequent season whereas many females from Chlamydia-infected populations (Brisbane Ranges and the Koala Conservation Centre) did so. This variation in reproductive patterns is likely to make an important contribution to the variation in the demography observed in different koala populations.

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.

Low-density koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the mulgalands of south-west Queensland. III. Broad-scale patterns of habitat use

2003 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 583 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Sullivan ◽  
G. S. Baxter ◽  
A. T. Lisle
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Important Determinant ◽  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Potential Range ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Quantitative Studies ◽  
South West ◽  
Pellet Density ◽  
Canopy Size

To date there have been few quantitative studies of the distribution of, and relative habitat utilisation by, koalas in the mulgalands of Queensland. To examine these parameters we applied habitat-accessibility and relative habitat-utilisation indices to estimates of faecal pellet density sampled at 149 sites across the region. Modelling the presence of pellets using logistic regression showed that the potential range of accessible habitats and relative habitat use varied greatly across the region, with rainfall being probably the most important determinant of distribution. Within that distribution, landform and rainfall were both important factors affecting habitat preference. Modelling revealed vastly different probabilities of finding a pellet under trees depending on the tree species, canopy size, and location within the region.

Low-density koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the mulgalands of south-west Queensland. I. Faecal pellet sampling protocol

2002 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 455 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. J. Sullivan ◽  
G. S. Baxter ◽  
A. T. Lisle
Keyword(s):  
Faecal Pellet ◽  
Sampling Protocol ◽  
Phascolarctos Cinereus ◽  
Faecal Pellets ◽  
South West ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Biogeographic Region ◽  
Source Of Information ◽  
Strong Linear Relationship

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in eastern Australia are threatened by land clearing for agricultural and urban development. At the same time, conservation efforts are hindered by a dearth of information about inland populations. Faecal deposits offer a source of information that is readily available and easily collected non-invasively. We detail a faecal pellet sampling protocol that was developed for use in a large rangeland biogeographic region. The method samples trees in belt transects, uses a thorough search at the tree base to quickly identify trees with koala pellets under them, then estimates the abundance of faecal pellets under those trees using 1-m2 quadrats. There was a strong linear relationship between these estimates and a complete enumeration of pellet abundance under the same trees. We evaluated the accuracy of our method in detecting trees where pellets were present by means of a misclassification index that was weighed more heavily for missed trees that had high numbers of pellets under them. This showed acceptable accuracy in all landforms except riverine, where some trees with large numbers of pellets were missed. Here, accuracy in detecting pellet presence was improved by sampling with quadrats, rather than basal searches. Finally, we developed a method to reliably age pellets and demonstrate how this protocol could be used with the faecal-standing-crop method to derive a regional estimate of absolute koala abundance.

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