Koalas In Care Inc. title

Koala Habitat

Koala habitat is the major determining factor in how koalas live their lives and indeed if they are to continue to survive in any particular area. Habitat serves many purposes such as providing shelter from the elements, food supply, a mating place, and a safe haven from predators.

Due to past clearing of vegetated areas for farming, logging and more recently, residential and industrial developments, koala habitat has significantly declined since European arrival in Australia. Much of the remaining koala habitat consists of a mosaic pattern of disturbed forest remnants and inadequate corridor linkages. Koalas are constantly struggling to survive in these depleted areas and are at increased risk of predator attack or being struck by motor vehicles while migrating through disturbed areas that roads transverse.

There are large variations in habitat across our area including:

  • Sandy loams of the coastal areas
  • Fertile alluvial floodplains and riparian areas
  • Rich volcanic of the upper escarpments and plateaux
  • Low fertile clay/shale ridges
  • Sub alpine areas of the Barrington Tops

Over 30 Eucalypt species are known to exist within our area, some quite common, whilst others are only in limited locations and some at their geographical limit. Koalas are also known to forage on non Eucalypt species such as Melaleucas and Angophoras.

When a project is being planned to increase koala food trees in an area, it is essential that only tubestock grown from locally collected seeds from known koala food trees are used. Unfortunately, some plant nurseries supply non-endemic species that our local koalas will not eat and these species have only weed value. It is also important to plant a variety of species to provide koalas with a varied diet.

 

Locally known Primary and Secondary Browse Species

Primary

Tallowwood Eucalyptus microcorys
Forest Red Gum Eucalyptus tereticornis
Small Fruited Grey Gum Eucalyptus propinqua
Grey Gum Eucalyptus biturbinata
Grey Gum Eucalyptus canaliculata
Grey Ironbark Eucalyptus placita
Ironbark Eucalyptus siderophloia
Cabbage Gum Eucalyptus amplifolia
Narrow Leaved Red Gum (T) Eucalyptus seeana
Slaty Red Gum (T) (S) Eucalyptus glaucina
Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata

 

Other

Thin Leaved Stringybark Eucalyptus eugenioides
Blue-Leaved Stringybark (N) Eucalyptus agglomerata
White Stringybark Eucalyptus globoidea
Silvertop Stringybark Eucalyptus laevopinea
Flooded Gum Eucalyptus grandis
Blue gum Eucalyptus saligna
Blackbutt Eucalyptus pilularis
Scribbly Gum Eucalyptus racemosa
Red Bloodwood Corymbia gummifera
Pink Bloodwood Corymbia intermedia
Broad-Leaved White Mahogany Eucalyptus carnea
Broad-Leaved White Mahogany Eucalyptus umbra
Broad-Leaved Apple Angophora subvelutina
Smooth-Barked Apple Angophora costata
Grey Box Eucalyptus mollucana
Craven Grey Box Eucalyptus largeana
Sydney Peppermint (N) Eucalyptus piperita
Rudders Box (N) Eucalyptus rudderi
Blue Mountain Ash (N) Eucalyptus oreades
Blue Mountain Mahogany (N) Eucalyptus notabilis
Melaleuca (Paperbark) Melaleuca linariifolia
Melaleuca (Paperbark) Melaleuca quinquenervia
Swamp Mahogany (L) Eucalyptus robusta
Red Mahogany Eucalyptus resinifera

Key:

N - At Northern extremity of distribution
T - Threatened Species Listed
S - At Southern extremity of distribution
L - Very limited distribution

 

Where trees should be planted?

  • Especially near existing koala habitat
  • Near water courses ie creeks, rivers, dams, etc
  • Between isolated remnants of habitat to provide connection
  • Adjacent to existing vegetation clumps
  • Close to fence lines
  • In quiet parks and reserves

 

Where not to plant trees!

  • Beside busy main roads
  • Close to your house
  • Fenced in with a swimming pool or dog yard
  • Close to or under power lines and pipes

 

Seed Bank

We have been collecting seed in the local area for many years and now have quite a large stock of various seeds. Contact us for more information and prices.

 

Tubestock

We have recently started to propagate tubestock for planting back into the local area. We are in the early stages of this project so stock is limited at present. We will be expanding this over time. Contact us for more information and prices.

 

 

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24 Hour
Rescue Service
(02)6552 2183

If no answer, use mobile number
0439 406 770

We cover Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester areas
of NSW.