2.3.3 - Generational Persistence

2.3.3 Generational Persistence

During the three koala generations from 1977 to 1994, available records for the LGA indicate a relatively large area of generational persistence generally located in the south of the LGA coinciding with the localities of Coolgardie, Wardell, Bagotville and Meerschaum Vale, along with a smaller outlier in the Uralba/Lynwood area.

The following three-generation subset (years 1995-2012) confirms the continued persistence of the abovementioned source population in the southern half of the LGA, but is otherwise notable for the increase in areas being the subject of persistence. There appears to be two elements to the apparent increase, the first being an expansion centred around the aforementioned areas in the south of the LGA, the second being an expansion to the west in the area from Rous Mill through to Wollongbar. Interestingly, the areas supporting these expansions comprise a highly fragmented landscape consisting mainly of agricultural and rural/residential land use types, with little or no contiguous forest but where the planting of preferred koala food tree species such as Tallowwood has taken place. Figure 2.5 illustrates areas of generational persistence over the preceding 6 koala consecutive generations 19771994 and 1995-2012.