Why are the trees dying?
The causes
of the tree deaths are complex, including an absence of fire in the landscape,
changes in understorey and a high density of foliovores (leaf eating
animals). The combination of these
factors has led to rapid declines in the health of the rare manna gum woodland.
What will happen to the Koalas?
The rate of
decline of the manna gum is alarming and the death of trees continues to result
in welfare issues for koalas as their food source is lost. Some koalas have moved into surrounding
bushland ecosystems but drastic action is required to restore the manna gum
woodlands and recreate a safe habitat for koalas and other wildlife. Unless the
habitat decline is addressed it is certain that this rare ecosystem will change
forever and be unable to support a population of koalas.
What is the community doing about it?
Over the
last few years the Conservation Ecology Centre has led projects to plant over
100'000 trees in Australia and to reinstate ecological burning. They are also carrying out
research to investigate effective manna gum regeneration and revegetation
techniques, as well as learning more about the ecology of koalas. The community
and the project partners play a pivotal role in these projects.
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