Associations Between Koala Faecal Pellets and Trees at Dorrigo

Abstract

Surveys are an important component of the legislative basis of protection and management of the koalas and their habitat in New South Wales. The search for faecal pellets provides a substantial source of information about the koala. At Dorrigo on the north coast of New South Wales, the forests are quite variable and have a composition that reflects a long and varied history of timber harvesting. Koalas appear to be widespread in the area, but at low population levels. The distribution and abundance of pellets are associated with tree density, size and species, and types of forest. Specifically, koala faecal pellets are associated with trees in less dense forests of 75-100 stems per hectare. Trees with pellet presence were not statistically associated with tree size, although trees with many pellets tended to be larger trees and medium-sized trees (60-90cm DBHOB) were the most preferred and important size to koalas. Tallowwood was the most preferred and important tree species to koalas.