Overview, Critical Assessment, and Conservation Implications of Koala Distribution and Abundance

Alistair Melzer; Frank Carrick; Peter Menkhorst; Daniel Lunney; Barbara ST John

doi:10.1046/j.1523-1739.2000.99383.x

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Overview, Critical Assessment, and Conservation Implications of Koala Distribution and Abundance

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Overview, Critical Assessment, and Conservation Implications of Koala Distribution and Abundance

Alistair Melzer, Frank Carrick, Peter Menkhorst, Daniel Lunney and Barbara ST John

Conservation biology, Vol.14(3), pp.619-628

2000

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1523-1739.2000.99383.x

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Abstract

Regional and national surveys provide a broadscale description of the koala's present distribution in Australia. A detailed understanding of its distribution is precluded, however, by past and continuing land clearing across large parts of the koala's range. Koala population density increased in some regions during the late 1800s and then declined dramatically in the early 1900s. The decline was associated with habitat loss, hunting, disease, fire, and drought. Declines are continuing in Queensland and New South Wales. In contrast, dense koala populations in habitat isolates in Victoria and South Australia are managed to reduce population size and browse damage. Current understanding of koala distribution and abundance suggests that the species does not meet Australian criteria as endangered or vulnerable fauna. Its conservation status needs to be reviewed, however, in light of the extensive land clearing in New South Wales and Queensland since the last (1980s) broadscale surveys. Consequently, we recommend that broadacre clearing be curtailed in New South Wales and Queensland and that regular, comprehensive, standardized, national koala surveys be undertaken. Given the fragmentation of koala habitat and regional differences in the status of the koala, we recommended that studies on regional variation in the koala be intensified and that koala ecology in fragmented and naturally restricted habitats be developed. More generally, the National Koala Conservation Strategy should be implemented.

Details

Title: Overview, Critical Assessment, and Conservation Implications of Koala Distribution and Abundance
Authors/Creators: Alistair Melzer - Central Queensland University
Frank Carrick - The University of Queensland
Peter Menkhorst - Flora and Fauna Branch, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, P.O. Box 41, East Melbourne 3002, Australia
Daniel Lunney - Parks and Wildlife Service
Barbara ST John - Aboriginal Health Council of South Australia
Publication Details: Conservation biology, Vol.14(3), pp.619-628
Identifiers: 991005579380007891
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; 3.35 Zoology & Animal Ecology; 3.35.721 Rodent Ecology
Web Of Science research areas: Biodiversity Conservation; Ecology; Environmental Sciences
ESI research areas: Environment/Ecology