NSW recovery plan for the koala (Phascolarctos
cinereus), 2008
10.1.1 Performance criteria
Criteria
indicating the health and viability of koala populations in NSW is
improving will be:
maintenance of existing
populations (i.e. no local extinctions)
The most
up to date koala survey methods (Biolink 2008) require a koala to be sighted to
provide a staring point for determining the extent of koala occupancy. These
surveys have confirmed that koala occupancy has reduced in the Five Forests.
improvement of the extent and quality of habitat and protection of
priority habitats and sites
These surveys have
also confirmed that koalas are constrained to one soil landscape in the Five
Forests. There have been no other koala sightings in the Bateman Bioregion this
century. The surveys also confirmed koala prefer only a few eucalyptus
species being, Woollybutt (E longifolia), Coast Grey Box (E. bosistoana),
Monkey Gum (E.cypellocarpa) and all the stringy barks, Blue (E. agglomerata),
White (E.globoidea) and Yellow (E,muelleriana).Current management ignores soils, reduces the extent and quality and
affords no protection to, koala habitat.
an increase in the numbers of breeding females, together with a
corresponding decrease in records of juvenile mortality
Due to habitat decline and loss,
whether or not the few remaining females breed depends on the weather bringing
enough rainfall. The threats to the little remaining habitat, logging, burning,
dieback and general neglect, could mean there is no habitat for juveniles.
an increase in the general health of animals in the wild (e.g. less
overt signs of Chlamydia infection or other illness)
There are very few sightings
demonstrating very koalas remain. It seems likely that after losing their
habitat koalas simply die quietly in the forest.
an expansion in distribution and the presence of koalas in
all areas of primary koala habitat
Due to soil loss and degradation
trees that remain in areas of former primary habitat have not supported koalas
for 100 years. Despite this the government focus remains at planting trees on
infertile soils. The threats to remaining habitat are similar and while these
are ignored koala extinction becomes a short-term probability.
an increase in community reports of koala sightings.
While the NSW
Government refuses to acknowledge extensive canopy dieback and its association
with soil degradation koala numbers will continue to contract. Proposed logging
makes it likely there will be a contraction of the current one or two sightings
per year.