Researchers report results from the first year of fauna occupancy monitoring in coastal State forests
Researchers have analysed the first year of fauna monitoring data captured by ecologists in Spring 2022 and Autumn 2023 in native state forests across the Coastal IFOA region. This is the first time this level of monitoring and analysis has been achieved for so many species in NSW.
The researchers modelled occupancy of 48 individual fauna species or taxa. Results show widespread occupancy for many species, including koalas and forest owls. Occupancy was stable or higher compared to 1990s levels for 14 out of 16 species for which data was available. These include koalas and 10 other threatened species.
Modelled occupancy of most species showed no negative influence from harvesting, and where negative impacts were identified, they were not consistent across all times since harvest. The seven native species with a moderate or strong negative response to harvesting in a particular forest age-class are on a watch-list and future monitoring data will be carefully analysed to understand how these species are responding to harvesting conditions.
The program continues to collect data and is progressing occupancy trend analysis for the first 3 years of program surveys. Ongoing occupancy monitoring will help improve our understanding of how harvesting, climate change and fire affect fauna occupancy.
READ MORE about this work under Project B11.
