The development of an improved scat survey method for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Article
Article Title | The development of an improved scat survey method for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) |
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ERA Journal ID | 2835 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Jiang, Alex (Author), Tribe, Andrew (Author) and Murray, Peter (Author) |
Journal Title | Australian Journal of Zoology |
Journal Citation | 67 (3), pp. 125-133 |
Number of Pages | 9 |
Year | 2020 |
Place of Publication | Australia |
ISSN | 0004-959X |
1446-5698 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO20006 |
Web Address (URL) | https://www.publish.csiro.au/zo/ZO20006 |
Abstract | Koala scat surveys are important tools for determining koala presence and distribution in large forested areas where it is impractical to conduct direct observation surveys. However, current scat survey methods are problematic due to lack of either accuracy or feasibility, i.e. they are either biased or very time-consuming in the field. This study aimed to establish a new koala scat survey method with improved accuracy compared with existing methods, and practical in the field. We developed a new Balanced Koala Scat Survey method (BKSS), and evaluated it in the field by analysing scat detectability variations and comparing it with a current survey method, the Spot Assessment Technique (SAT), to determine scat searching accuracy. The results revealed that current methods were biased by assigning consistent searching effort for all trees, because effective searching time to detect the first scat was significantly affected by Koala Activity Level (KAL – the proportion of trees found with scats among all 30 trees in a survey site). Compared with BKSS, SAT tended to yield more false negative outcomes; SAT may miss up to 46% of trees with scats when KAL was low. The application of BKSS is expected to greatly enhance the reliability of koala scat surveys in determining koala distribution and thus improve their conservation management. |
Keywords | South-west Queensland; tree species preferences; habitat use; conservation; populations; Mulga Lands; abundance; area; diet |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 410299. Ecological applications not elsewhere classified |
310308. Terrestrial ecology | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | University of Queensland |
Turner Family Foundation, Australia | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q6360/the-development-of-an-improved-scat-survey-method-for-koalas-phascolarctos-cinereus
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