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Strzelecki Ranges Koala Population in South Gippsland Level 1

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Strzelecki Ranges Koala Population in South Gippsland Level 1 Harnessing community interest and enthusiasm to collect data on the Strzelecki Ranges Koala Author: Nicole Walsh, Landcare Project Officer, South Gippsland Landcare Network (SGLN) Corner of Bair & Young Streets, Leongatha, Victoria Strzelecki Ranges Koala population in South Gippsland The koala population within the Strzelecki Ranges Bioregion is thought to be genetically distinct from all other koala populations across Victoria. Most Victorian koalas originate from a low number of koalas established on French and Phillip Islands in Western Port Bay. Whereas the koalas found in the Strzelecki Range represent a unique remnant gene pool reflecting the genetic diversity of Victorian koalas before the fur trade of the early 1900’s. Genetic diversity is essential for species to adapt and survive in response to environmental change. The aim of the Friends of Strzelecki Koalas (FOSK) Habitat for Life Project is to protect, enhance and restore koala habitat in the South Gippsland region. This is being achieved through on-ground works such as fencing habitat remnants, woody weed control and revegetation projects to assist the dispersal of koalas and other wildlife across the landscape. The project also aims to raise community awareness and understanding of the threats to koala survival such as habitat loss and fragmentation, cars and dog attack. Landcare staff run koala focussed events, provide training opportunities and visit local schools. There is a huge level of interest and goodwill towards koalas in the local area. This has translated to a high level of community involvement in collecting data on the species. Level 1: Koala sightings map Level 2: Collecting koala scats Level 3: Koala monitoring At the most basic level, the FOSK website A series of scat (poo) collection workshops 30 community members have been trained in has a koala map which enables members trained local volunteers in how to recognise the application of Regularised Grid Based of the community to record koala sightings and collect koala scats. 40 scat samples have Spot Assessment Technique (RGbSAT). This in the area. Since 2012, some 102 koala since been collected by community members technique allows an estimate of population sightings have been recorded. While the to assist a local PhD student with her research. density and tree preference to be made. Tree map is primarily intended as a community use by koalas is indicated by the presence or engagement tool, it has also yielded some Of the 225 scat samples collected from the absence of a single koala scat within 1 metre useful spatial and habitat preference data. Strzelecki’s, 100 have undergone DNA analysis. of the base of each tree in the survey area. Refer to www.fosk.org.au Results show that koalas from South Gippsland have a different ancestry to both French and Phillip Island stock and there is no indication that the region’s koala population originates from translocated island koalas. This makes it a unique population. Strzelecki koala population structure Population 1- STZ Population 2 - STZ Population 3 - STZ Population 4 - RI Population 5 - PI This data allows us to answer questions relating Population 6 - NSW to koala conservation such as where are they living and where are they not? How many are there? What are their preferred food trees? Acknowledgements Faye Wedrowicz, PhD student, Federation University (Gippsland Campus) Dr Steve Phillips, Managing Director & Principal The map above shows the 100 South Gippsland samples analysed to Ecologist, Biolink Ecological Consultants the end of June 2015. Each bar represents an individual koala and the major colour indicates which population an individual belongs. Friends of Strzelecki Koalas volunteers Source: Faye Wedrowicz .
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