This project is a cooperative effort between FBA, Koala Research Central Queensland and First Nations to implement koala density and habitat surveys.
These surveys will determine koala density (per ha.) by habitat type and ground-truth existing habitat mapping. The surveys will be walked transects of approximately 2 km in length depending on the terrain at each site. The total number of transects walked and the total area covered by the surveys will depend on the final site selection. Notes on the habitat will be taken and compared to existing mapping, and sightings of koalas will be recorded together with information on the direction and distance from the transect of each animal. The estimated number of koalas per hectare for each area will be calculated from this data. Transect locations and other aspects of the survey technique will be determined through GIS mapping by Koala Research Central Queensland (CQUniversity) and will be based on koala habitat classification layers and other data to determine the most suitable locations.
Project baseline established:
- Number of koalas per hectare (project area)
- Number of koalas per hectare (by dominant vegetation type e.g., Blue Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis, Narrow leafed Ironbark Eucalyptus crebra.)