Summary
The Natural Resources Commission engaged Dr Ryan Witt (University of Newcastle) to examine whether drone‑based surveys could measure changes in koala population density after timber harvesting.
Drones fitted with thermal cameras have been effective in surveying for mammals – especially those found in terrain difficult to access by vehicle or foot. However, this type of monitoring has not previously been used to assess the effects of a specific disturbance on a koala population.
Dr. Witt’s options paper (PDF 279.92KB) identified a Before-After-Control-Impact Paired Series (BACIPS) design using drones as an optimal approach, but noted there are significant resource demands, limitations, and costs associated with this type of monitoring.
The expert panel considered the options paper and found there was scientific merit to the proposed approach. However, the cost to implement the approach meant it could not be resourced within the available research budget. In response, the expert panel suggested alternative research that could be funded under the program. The program will instead proceed with a combination of acoustic surveys and DNA analysis of koala scats to assess koala population responses to harvesting.
Key documents