Using a State Vegetation Type map to predict legal koala habitat at large scale
A case study in the Mid North Coast Region of NSW

Cristian Orlando; Rebecca Montague-Drake; John Turbill; Allen McIlwee; Mathew Crowther

Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Using a State Vegetation Type map to predict legal koala habitat at large scale A case study in the Mid North Coast Region of NSW

Cristian Orlando , Rebecca Montague-Drake, John Turbill, Allen McIlwee, Mathew Crowther

Abstract

Context Habitat loss is a primary contributor to the decline in koala populations. While existing legislation aims to preserve koala habitats, on-ground surveys for habitat classification are time-consuming, potentially biased, and limited in scale. Leveraging plant community type (PCT) mapping for large-scale classification of koala habitat is promising but requires testing and clear methodological steps. Aims We describe and test a method (the ‘PCT/SEPP’ method) to use PCT mapping to predict legal koala habitat as defined under NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Biodiversity and Conservation) 2021 (SEPP) in the Mid North Coast Region of NSW. Methods We surveyed 195 sites (49 PCTs) and measured the frequency of Koala Use Tree Species (KTS) as outlined in the SEPP. Next, using the FIDEL tables for the NSW PCTs, we assigned the expected average frequency and median combined cover of KTS to each site, based on its associated PCT (the ‘PCT/SEPP’ method). We assessed sites for legal (‘potential’) koala habitat using field vegetation survey data and ‘PCT/SEPP’ data, comparing congruence. Finally, we evaluated the effectiveness of both methods in identifying contemporary occupied (‘core’) koala habitat using records from dog and acoustic surveys, and BioNet Atlas (as per the SEPP). Key results Legal koala habitat, verified from on-ground field surveys, was best predicted by the ‘PCT/SEPP’ method which used a ‘15% frequency/ 15% cover’ rule for KTS. This rule was also the best matching for occupied koala habitat – outperforming the field method by a small margin. Conclusions Our study supports the effectiveness of the ‘PCT/SEPP’ method in predicting legal koala habitat in the Hastings-Macleay Region. Further testing would be required before the approach can be extended to other regions. Implications The proposed method introduces a possible means for conducting large-scale assessment of land for legal koala habitat classification. In the future, the use of a standardized and reliable method, such as the one described, should be considered in biodiversity conservation and land-use planning.

WR24188 Accepted 23 August 2025