As South Australia continues to feel the effects of drought, citizen scientists are being called on to help measure whether urban development and habitat loss are affecting outer metropolitan koala populations.
Koala populations in South Australia are under increasing pressure from drought, disease (including chlamydia), habitat loss and the lingering effects of bushfires - and this year's Great Koala Count census, being conducted between November 15-23, will help measure their effect.
The Great Koala Count - part of a larger program called the National Koala Monitoring Program (NKMP) - aims to establish a robust, long-lasting monitoring capability to accurately monitor trends in koala populations.
In particular, citizen scientists and residents in the Adelaide Hills and Mount Lofty Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula, Kangaroo Island, South-East, Riverland and Eyre Peninsula will be vital to collecting the latest numbers.
"This year's Annual Great Koala Count in South Australia is providing more than just a census of a species - it's a call to action, to assist the local koala population," says Flinders University's Professor Karen Burke da Silva, who leads the SA National Koala Monitoring Program.
"We're particularly concerned about how this year's drought may be influencing koala numbers, so this count will help us understand the environmental stressors affecting these animals and guide future conservation efforts."
These critical factors include monitoring the continuing effects of chlamydia on koala health, and understanding how koalas are adapting to major changes on Kangaroo Island, where recent plantation removals and bushfire recovery efforts have altered the landscape.
Professor Burke da Silva is pleased that last year's survey set a high benchmark with 367 data submissions from participants- but aims to attract even more volunteer koala counters, to help improve the accuracy of data.
She is encouraging the public to download the Koala Spotter mobile phone app and record sightings around the state between Saturday 15 November and Sunday 23 November.
By recording koala sightings on their Koala Spotter app, participants will help identify zones of koala abundance, which can be used to inform successful conservation strategies in other areas.
"The end goal is to ensure that koalas not only survive, but thrive in South Australia."
This important South Australian initiative has now gained national attention, with the Flinders University research team driving the South Australian National Koala Monitoring Program recently winning a Eureka Prize for Scientific Engagement through this important wildlife monitoring.
Download the Koala Spotter app here: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/koala-spotter/id6450281064 – or the Google Play Store (Android), or visit the Great Koala Count Website www.nkmp.org.au
