Koalas and Urbanization in Queensland, AU

Alex Sutton-Windsor

Diet

• 1 of 3 mammals thatcan eat eucalyptusleaves

• Eucalyptus diet– High in fibre– Low nutritional value– Poisonous

Diet

• Contain all essential nutrients

• Receive 90% of water from leaves

• Eat average of 1kg of leaves per day

Habitat• 600 different eucalyptus species

• Only 120 species are eaten

• Eucalyptus trees provide:– Food– Shelter– Socialization

Habitat

• Split into home ranges– 35-40Ha

• Forests restricted to eastern Australia• Historically koalas covered eastern third

of Australia• Currently found in southeast

Queensland, and northeast New South Wales

Populations

• In decline since European settlement in 18th century

• Est. population prior to settlement = 10 million

• Est. population today = 10,000

Populations

• However, populations are still abundant

• Not endangered or vulnerable

• Threatened by habitat loss due to urbanization

Urbanization & Habitat Loss

• Huge population boom in Queensland

• 2,180 Ha of additional land is needed

• 1,656 is eucalyptus forest

• Result = fragmented habitats

Urbanization & Traffic

• Urbanization results in more roads and more traffic

• Many roads cut through koala habitat

Urbanization & Traffic

• 85% of injured koalas don’t survive

• Safe koala crossings

Urbanization & Disease

• Diseases are easily transmitted– Chlamydia

• Immune systems are weakened

Droughts

• Common occurrence in Australia

• Affect moisture content in leaves

Bushfires

• Consequence of drought

• Restrict movements of koalas to treetops

The End