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Ballina Koala Habitat Study
4.4 Key Outcomes •
Trends in the tree use data set, coupled with knowledge from studies in adjoining LGAs indicate that a suite of three Eucalyptus species comprising Tallowwood, Forest Red Gum1 and Swamp Mahogany are the most preferred tree species for koalas in the study area. Forest Red Gum, Tallowwood and Swamp Mahogany function as primary food tree species when growing on med-high nutrient soil landscapes, whereas Tallowwood likely functions as a secondary food tree species on lower nutrient soils.
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Available vegetation mapping is not sufficiently informed to enable an objectively derived map of koala habitat to be created. A total of between 1500ha and 2000ha of Preferred/Potential Koala Habitat is considered likely based on information associated with mapped polygons and field survey data, with all three habitat categories recognised by the Koala Recovery Plan being represented.
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