In Victoria, in the Great Otway National Park and surrounding private land, koalas are widespread and relatively abundant. With the increasing climate change impact on the environment, higher densities of koalas in some areas are being observed, causing declining tree conditions. Habitat change is occurring rapidly providing a unique opportunity to conduct valuable research on the response of koalas to this change. Understanding the potential impact on the species, will pave the way towards developing conservation solutions. Little is known about the Otways and southern koala populations in general, so this study will provide important new information. This expedition will contribute to on-ground natural resource management and planning. Through volunteer participation and environmental education, knowledge and ecological understanding will be distributed to the local, national, and international community.
Insights will contribute to the conservation of koala species and habitat bringing to light the impact of climate change on species populations, movement and available resources.
Meet the Scientists
Dr Desley Whisson
Desley is a Lecturer in Wildlife and Conservation Biology in the School of Life and Environmental Sciences at Deakin University in Melbourne.