An Ecological Reading of the History of the Koala Population of Warrumbungle National Park

Daniel Lunney; Indrie Sonawane; Robert Wheeler; Elizabeth Tasker; Murray Ellis; Martin Predavec; Mike Fleming

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An Ecological Reading of the History of the Koala Population of Warrumbungle National Park

Journal article

Open access

An Ecological Reading of the History of the Koala Population of Warrumbungle National Park

Daniel Lunney, Indrie Sonawane, Robert Wheeler, Elizabeth Tasker, Murray Ellis, Martin Predavec and Mike Fleming

Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol.142, pp.S131-S154

2020

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/https://openjournals.library.sydney.edu.au/LIN/article/view/14688

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Abstract

Biodiversity & Conservation

Ecology

Environmental Sciences & Ecology

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Science & Technology

The severe Wambelong fire in 2013 focussed attention on the koalas of Warrumbungle National Park, and highlighted the lack of detailed study into their populations. Here we examine the history of land use and management within and surrounding the Park and how the koala populations have changed through the decades. Before the dedication of the Park in 1953 there was little koala habitat and, at best, a very low-density koala population in and around what became the Park. The koala population grew through the 1970s and 1980s, and by the mid- to late 1990s the Park was known for its strong koala population before the onset of the millennium drought (2001-2009). However, sightings were rare after the drought. The fire compounded the drought, showing that the Park on its own is too small to be a long-term refuge, particularly in an era of climate change. A regional approach to population management is needed, with the Park and the private land surrounding it both necessary for the survival of the local koala population. We have witnessed impact of a severe fire in 2013 on the koala population, although one best understood through an ecological reading of the historical record.

Details

Title: An Ecological Reading of the History of the Koala Population of Warrumbungle National Park
Authors/Creators: Daniel Lunney - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Indrie Sonawane - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Robert Wheeler - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Elizabeth Tasker - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Murray Ellis - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Martin Predavec - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Mike Fleming - Dept Planning Ind & Environm NSW, 4 Parramatta Sq,12 Darcy St, Parramatta, NSW 2150, Australia
Publication Details: Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, Vol.142, pp.S131-S154
Publisher: Linnean Soc New South Wales
Number of pages: 24
Identifiers: 991005579391107891
Murdoch Affiliation: Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology; 3.40 Forestry; 3.40.195 Biodiversity Conservation
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology