Ecology of koala food quality

Project description

Koalas browse exclusively on eucalypt trees for nutrition and most of their water requirements. Thus, as a specialist folivores, koala behaviour and population densities can be strongly influence by variation in the quality of their food. The ability of koalas to meet their water requirements by exclusively eating leaves can be exceeded during dry periods. Limited water availability and the resulting physiological stress, and even death highlights a way in which climate change may negatively impact koala populations. It is therefore important to explore whether koalas have access to ‘climate refuges’ within their habitat and whether food quality plays a role in defining these. In this project, you will explore whether leaf moisture content and other aspects of koala food quality varies spatially and the factors that may drive such variation. In addition to field studies, there may be opportunity to incorporate existing data on koala populations and movement into your project where relevant. Your project will contribute to an ongoing research program that aims to increase our knowledge of the movement behaviour, population dynamics and health of koalas in the Mount Lofty ranges.

Note: You need to register interest in projects from different supervisors (not a number of projects with the one supervisor).
You must also contact each supervisor directly to discuss both the project details and your suitability to undertake the project.