In order to more effectively conserve Koalas, the National Koala Conservation and Management Strategy 2009 - 2014 promotes the need for reliable approaches to the assessment of Koala habitat. This work describes a point-based, tree sampling methodology that utilises the presence/absence of Koala faecal pellets within a prescribed search area around the base of trees to derive a measure of Koala activity. Confidence intervals associated with Koala activity data from 405 randomly selected field plots within which faecal pellets were recorded have been utilised to assign threshold values for three population density/habitat biomes in eastern Australia. Subject to the need for a precautionary approach to data interpretation in areas that support naturally occurring, low-density Koala populations, the approach is expected to assist field-based assessments by researchers, land managers and others interested in clarifying aspects of habitat utilisation by free-ranging Koalas, especially where identification of important areas for protection and management is required.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
NotSpecified|
October 20 2011
The Spot Assessment Technique: a tool for determining localised levels of habitat use by Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus
Stephen Phillips;
Stephen Phillips
1
Australian Koala Foundation, GPO Box 2659 Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
3
Gold Coast City Council, PO Box 5042 Gold Coast MC 9729 Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
John Callaghan
John Callaghan
2
Biolink Ecological Consultants, PO Box 3196 Uki NSW 2484 Australia
3
Gold Coast City Council, PO Box 5042 Gold Coast MC 9729 Australia
Search for other works by this author on:
Australian Zoologist (2011) 35 (3): 774–780.
Citation
Stephen Phillips, John Callaghan; The Spot Assessment Technique: a tool for determining localised levels of habitat use by Koalas Phascolarctos cinereus. Australian Zoologist 1 January 2011; 35 (3): 774–780. doi: https://doi.org/10.7882/AZ.2011.029
Download citation file:

How do RZS NSW members access the full text papers?
If you are a current RZS NSW member (with publications), please access the full text of papers by visiting https://www.rzsnsw.org.au/Australian-Zoologist-access-(Members-Only) (you will be asked to log in to RZS NSW). Do not log in at the top of this current page for access.
Citing articles via
Parma wallabies: a history of translocations and reintroductions
Samaa Kalsia, Melanie Edwards, George Wilson
Breeding by Barn Owls Tyto alba in artificial nest hollows established for an endangered black cockatoo in the northern wheatbelt of Western Australia
Peter R Mawson, Rick Dawson, Denis A Saunders
Importance of Rodents and Bandicoots in the diet of the Tasmanian Masked Owl
Michael K. Todd, Rodney P. Kavanagh, Chris P. Spencer, Phil J. Bell, Nick J. Mooney, Sarah A. Munks