Individuals matter: predicting koala road crossing behaviour in south-east Queensland
C. E. Dexter A C , R. G. Appleby A B , J. Scott A , J. P. Edgar B and D. N. Jones A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Environmental Futures Research Institute, Sir Samuel Griffith Centre (N78), Griffith University, 170 Kessels Road, Nathan, Qld 4111, Australia.
B Wild Spy Pty Ltd, 11/25 Depot Street, Banyo, Qld 4014, Australia.
C Corresponding author. Email: c.dexter@griffith.edu.au
Australian Mammalogy 40(1) 67-75 https://doi.org/10.1071/AM16043
Submitted: 26 August 2016 Accepted: 30 March 2017 Published: 7 July 2017
Abstract
The ability to predict the frequency with which koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) cross roads is an important step in developing mitigation strategies aimed at maintaining metapopulation viability for this species. In south-east Queensland, Australia, rapid urban development, including fragmentation and vehicle-related mortality, has contributed to a dramatic decline in local koala populations. Assessment of wildlife crossing structures that mitigates the impact of roads demonstrates these to be beneficial for many species. However, building enough structures to enable animals to move freely across impacted landscapes may be prohibitive in complex urban landscapes. The focus for this study was to consider the role of differing characteristics for species at risk. We examined the frequency of road crossings by individual koalas among six subpopulations in south-east Queensland. We explored the influence of potential predictor variables including: age, sex, and distance from roads. We established that road crossings were limited to a subset of individuals, with only 18 of 51 (~35%) koalas studied ever crossing a road. We found that koalas were disproportionately more likely to cross a road if they had initially been found within a distance of 100 m of that road. Males were more likely to cross roads than females, as were koalas aged less than five years. We suggest that successful wildlife road mitigation can be improved by better understanding the road-crossing behaviour of species such as the koala.
Additional keywords: conservation, research gaps, road crossing risk, road ecology.
References
AMBS (2001). Fauna underpass monitoring stage one – final report – Bulahdelah to Coolongolook. Report prepared for the NSW Roads and Transport Authority. Australian Museum Business Services, Sydney.AMBS (2012). Investigation of the impact of roads on koalas. Report prepared for the NSW Roads and Maritime Services. Australian Museum Business Services, Sydney.
Apfelbach, R., Blanchard, C. D., Blanchard, R. J., Hayes, R. A., and McGregor, I. S. (2005). The effects of predator odors in mammalian prey species: a review of field and laboratory studies. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews 29, 1123–1144.
| The effects of predator odors in mammalian prey species: a review of field and laboratory studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ascensão, F., Grilo, C., LaPoint, S., Tracey, J., Clevenger, A. P., and Santos-Reis, M. (2014). Inter-individual variability of stone marten behavioral responses to a highway. PLoS One 9, e103544.
| Inter-individual variability of stone marten behavioral responses to a highway.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bank, F. G., Irwin, C. L., Evink, G. L., Gray, M. E., Hagood, S., Kinar, J. R., Levy, A., Paulson, D., Ruediger, B., Sauvajot, R. M., Scott, D. J., and White, P. (2002). Wildlife habitat connectivity across European highways (Report). US Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration.
Baxter-Gilbert, J. H., Riley, J. L., Lesbarrères, D., and Litzgus, J. D. (2015). Mitigating reptile road mortality: fence failures compromise ecopassage effectiveness. PLoS One 10, e0120537.
| Mitigating reptile road mortality: fence failures compromise ecopassage effectiveness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ben-Ami, D., and Ramp, D. (2013). Impact of roadside habitat on swamp wallaby movement and fitness. Wildlife Research 40, 512–522.
| Impact of roadside habitat on swamp wallaby movement and fitness.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Benítez-López, A., Alkemade, R., and Verweij, P. A. (2010). The impacts of roads and other infrastructure on mammal and bird populations: a meta-analysis. Biological Conservation 143, 1307–1316.
| The impacts of roads and other infrastructure on mammal and bird populations: a meta-analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Bissonette, J. (Ed.) (2007). Evaluation of the use and effectiveness of wildlife crossings NCHRP_25–27: final report, prepared for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, Transportation Research Board of the National Academics.
Boulanger, J., and Stenhouse, G. B. (2014). The impact of roads on the demography of grizzly bears in Alberta. PLoS One 9, e115535.
| The impact of roads on the demography of grizzly bears in Alberta.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Coffin, A. W. (2007). From roadkill to road ecology: a review of the ecological effects of roads. Journal of Transport Geography 15, 396–406.
| From roadkill to road ecology: a review of the ecological effects of roads.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
de Oliveira, S. M., Murray, P. J., de Villiers, D. L., and Baxter, G. S. (2014). Ecology and movement of urban koalas adjacent to linear infrastructure in coastal south-east Queensland. Australian Mammalogy 36, 45–54.
| Ecology and movement of urban koalas adjacent to linear infrastructure in coastal south-east Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
DEHP (2015). Koala ecology. Environment and Heritage Protection – Queensland Government. Available at: https://www.ehp.qld.gov.au/wildlife/koalas/koala-ecology.html [accessed 16 January 2016].
DERM (2009). Decline of the Koala Coast koala population: population status in 2008 report. Department of Environment and Resource Management, Brisbane.
Dexter, C. E., Appleby, R. G., Edgar, J. P., Scott, J., and Jones, D. N. (2016). Using complementary remote detection methods for retrofitted eco-passages: a case study for monitoring individual koalas in south-east Queensland. Wildlife Research 43, 369–379.
| Using complementary remote detection methods for retrofitted eco-passages: a case study for monitoring individual koalas in south-east Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Dique, D. S., Thompson, J., Preece, H. J., Penfold, G. C., and de Villiers, D. L. (2003). Koala mortality on roads in south-east Queensland: the koala speed-zone trial. Wildlife Research 30, 419–426.
| Koala mortality on roads in south-east Queensland: the koala speed-zone trial.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Eberhardt, E., Mitchell, S., and Fahrig, L. (2013). Road kill hotspots do not effectively indicate mitigation locations when past road kill has depressed populations. Journal of Wildlife Management 77, 1353–1359.
| Road kill hotspots do not effectively indicate mitigation locations when past road kill has depressed populations.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ellis, W. A. H., Melzer, A., Carrick, F., and Hasegawa, M. (2002). Tree use, diet, and home range of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) at Blair Athol, central Queensland. Wildlife Research 29, 303–311.
| Tree use, diet, and home range of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) at Blair Athol, central Queensland.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ellis, W., Melzer, A., and Bercovitch, F. (2009). Spatiotemporal dynamics of habitat use by koalas: the checkerboard model. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 63, 1181–1188.
| Spatiotemporal dynamics of habitat use by koalas: the checkerboard model.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Ellis, W., Bercovitch, F. B., FitzGibbon, S., Melzer, A., de Villiers, D., and Dique, D. (2010). Koala birth seasonality and sex ratios across multiple sites in Queensland, Australia. Journal of Mammalogy 91, 177–182.
| Koala birth seasonality and sex ratios across multiple sites in Queensland, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
EPA (2006). Nature Conservation (Koala) Conservation Plan 2006 and Management Program 2006–2016. Environmental Protection Agency – Queensland Government, Re528_August 2006. Available at: http://www.uq.edu.au/krn/QLD_KoalaConservationPlan.pdf [accessed 16 May 2016].
Fahrig, L., and Rytwinski, T. (2009). Effects of roads on animal abundance: an empirical review and synthesis. Ecology and Society 14, 21.
| Effects of roads on animal abundance: an empirical review and synthesis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Forman, R. T. T., Sperling, D., Bissonette, J. A., Clevenger, A. P., Cutshall, C. D., Dale, V. H., Fahrig, L., France, R., Goldman, C. R., Heanue, K., Jones, J. A., Swanson, F. J., Turrentine, T., and Winter, T. C. C. (2003). ‘Road Ecology: Science and Solutions.’ (Island Press: Washington, DC.)
Glista, D. J., DeVault, T. L., and DeWoody, J. A. (2009). A review of mitigation measures for reducing wildlife mortality on roadways. Landscape and Urban Planning 91, 1–7.
| A review of mitigation measures for reducing wildlife mortality on roadways.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Goldingay, R. L., and Dobner, B. (2014). Home range areas of koalas in an urban area of north-east New South Wales. Australian Mammalogy 36, 74–80.
| Home range areas of koalas in an urban area of north-east New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Gordon, G. (1990). Estimation of the age of the koala, Phascolarctos cinereus (Marsupialia: Phascolarctidae) from tooth wear and growth. Australian Mammalogy 14, 5–12.
Grilo, C., Ascensao, F., Santos-Reis, M., and Bissonette, J. A. (2011). Do well-connected landscapes promote road-related mortality? European Journal of Wildlife Research 57, 707–716.
| Do well-connected landscapes promote road-related mortality?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Grilo, C., Sousa, J., Ascensão, F., Matos, H., Leitão, I., and Pinheiro, P. (2012). Individual spatial responses towards roads: implications for mortality risk. PLoS One 7, e43811.
| Individual spatial responses towards roads: implications for mortality risk.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtlGitLnE&md5=71e2f655bb87546ea4375e394123a473CAS |
Hasegawa, M. (1995). Habitat utilisation by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) at Point Halloran, Queensland. M.Sc. Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Jones, D. N., Dexter, C., Bernede, L., Scott, J., Sullivan, K., Pickvance, J., and Cousins, S. (2012). Koala retrofit works program – evaluation and monitoring. Final report. Department of Transport and Main Roads Brisbane District Office Metropolitan Region. Report by Griffith University Environmental Futures Centre, Applied Road Ecology Group, Griffith University, Brisbane.
Jones, D. N., Dexter, C., Bernede, L., and Scott, J. (2013). Koala retrofit works program – evaluation and monitoring for koala-specific overpass structure. Final report. Department of Transport and Main Roads Brisbane District Office Metropolitan Region. Report by Griffith University Environmental Futures Centre, Applied Road Ecology Group, Griffith University, Brisbane.
Klar, N., Herrmann, M., and Kramer-Schadt, S. (2009). Effects and mitigation of road impacts on individual movement behavior of wildcats. Journal of Wildlife Management 73, 631–638.
| Effects and mitigation of road impacts on individual movement behavior of wildcats.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lassau, S. A., Ryan, B., Close, R., Moon, C., Geraghty, P., Coyle, A., and Pile, J. (2008). Home ranges and mortality of a roadside koala Phascolarctos cinereus population at Bonville, New South Wales. In ‘Too Close for Comfort: Contentious Issues in Human–Wildlife Encounters’. (Eds D. Lunney, A. Munn, W. Meikle.) pp. 127–136. (Royal Zoological Society of New South Wales: Sydney.)
Laurance, W. F., Gopalasamy, R. C., Sloan, S., O’Connell, C. S., Mueller, N. D., Goosem, M., Venter, O., Edwards, D. P., Phalan, B., Balmford, A., van der Ree, R., and Arrea, I. B. (2014). A global strategy for road building. Nature 513, 229–232.
| A global strategy for road building.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsFOltrbM&md5=d76f17e12b7f39b57c2cad1f8790e537CAS |
Laurian, C., Dussault, C., Ouellet, J.-P., Courtois, R., Poulin, M., and Breton, L. (2008). Behavior of moose relative to a road network. Journal of Wildlife Management 72, 1550–1557.
| Behavior of moose relative to a road network.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Lee, A. K., and Martin, R. W. (1988). ‘The Koala: A Natural History.’ (University of New South Wales Press: Sydney.)
Lee, T., Zenger, K. R., Close, R. L., Jones, M., and Phalen, D. N. (2010). Defining spatial genetic structure and management units for vulnerable koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the Sydney region. Australian Wildlife Research 37, 156–165.
| Defining spatial genetic structure and management units for vulnerable koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the Sydney region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Little, S. J. (2004). The influence of predator–prey relationships on wildlife passage evaluation. In ‘Proceedings of the 2003 International Conference on Ecology and Transportation’. (Eds C. L. Irwin, P. Garrett, and K. P. McDermott.) pp. 277–292. (Center for Transportation and the Environment, North Carolina State University: Raleigh, NC.)
Lunney, D., Moon, C., and Matthews, A. (1996). A 1990 survey of the koala Phascolarctos cinereus population at Iluka in northern New South Wales. In ‘Koalas – Research for Management – Proceedings of the Brisbane Koala Symposium’. (Ed. G. Gordon.) pp. 102–122. (World Koala Research Incorporated: Brisbane.)
Malo, J. E., Suárez, F., and Díez, A. (2004). Can we mitigate animal–vehicle accidents using predictive models? Journal of Applied Ecology 41, 701–710.
| Can we mitigate animal–vehicle accidents using predictive models?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Martin, R., and Handasyde, K. (1999). ‘The Koala: Natural History, Conservation and Management.’ 2nd edn. Australian Natural History Series. (University of New South Wales Press: Sydney.)
Mastro, L. L., Conover, M. R., and Frey, S. N. (2008). Deer–vehicle collision prevention techniques. Human–Wildlife Conflicts 2, 80–92.
Melzer, A. (1995). Aspects of the ecology of the koala Phascolarctos cinereus (Goldfus, 1817), in the sub-humid woodlands of central Queensland. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Melzer, A., and Lamb, D. (1994). Low density populations of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in central Queensland. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Queensland 104, 89–93.
Mitchell, P. (1989). The social organisation of koalas. Ph.D. Thesis, Monash University, Melbourne.
Mitchell, P., and Martin, R. (1990). The structure and dynamics of koala populations – French Island in perspective. In ‘Biology of the Koala’. (Eds A. K. Lee, K. A. Handasyde and G. D. Sanson.) pp. 97–108. (Surrey Beatty: Sydney.)
Neumann, W., Ericsson, G., and Dettki, H. (2013). Behavioural response to infrastructure of wildlife adapted to natural disturbances. Landscape and Urban Planning 114, 9–27.
| Behavioural response to infrastructure of wildlife adapted to natural disturbances.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Olson, D. D., Bissonette, J. A., Cramer, P. C., Bunnell, K. D., Coster, D. C., and Jackson, P. J. (2014). Vehicle collisions cause differential age and sex-specific mortality in mule deer. Advances in Ecology 2014, 971809.
| Vehicle collisions cause differential age and sex-specific mortality in mule deer.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Phillips, S., Callaghan, J., and Thompson, V. (2000). The tree species preferences of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) inhabiting forest and woodland communities on Quaternary deposits in the Port Stephens area, New South Wales. Wildlife Research 27, 1–10.
| The tree species preferences of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) inhabiting forest and woodland communities on Quaternary deposits in the Port Stephens area, New South Wales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Preece, H. J. (2007). Monitoring and modelling threats to koala populations in rapidly urbanising landscapes: Koala Coast, south east Queensland, Australia. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
Proppe, D. S., McMillan, N., Congdon, J. V., and Sturdy, C. B. (2016). Mitigating road impacts on animals through learning principles. Animal Cognition 20, 19–31.
| Mitigating road impacts on animals through learning principles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
QGP (2013). South-east Queensland coast (Map 7). Queensland Government Publications, Brisbane. Available at: https://publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/guide-to-queensland-roads/resource/f86c19ae-9adf-4100-bb59-5113548c361e [accessed 10 February 2016].
Ramsay, S. (1999). The ecology and dispersal patterns of juvenile koalas, Phascolarctos cinereus, in fragmented habitat. Ph.D. Thesis, Monash University, Melbourne.
Rhodes, J. R., Ng, C. F., de Villiers, D. L., Preece, H. J., McAlpine, C. A., and Possingham, H. P. (2011). Using integrated population modelling to quantify the implications of multiple threatening processes for a rapidly declining population. Biology Conservation 144, 1081–1088.
| Using integrated population modelling to quantify the implications of multiple threatening processes for a rapidly declining population.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rhodes, J. R., Lunney, D., Callaghan, J., and McAlpine, C. A. (2014). A few large roads or many small ones? How to accommodate growth in vehicle numbers to minimise impacts on wildlife. PLoS One 9, e91093.
| A few large roads or many small ones? How to accommodate growth in vehicle numbers to minimise impacts on wildlife.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Rhodes, J. R., Beyer, H. L., Preece, H. J., and McAlpine, C. A. (2015). South east Queensland koala population modelling study. UniQuest, Brisbane.
Riley, S. P. D., Pollinger, J. P., Sauvajot, R. M., York, E. C., Bromley, C., Fuller, T. K., and Wayne, R. K. (2006). A southern California freeway is a physical and social barrier to gene flow in carnivores. Molecular Ecology 15, 1733–1741.
| A southern California freeway is a physical and social barrier to gene flow in carnivores.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtlGrs7w%3D&md5=5cdda931f4821f72bbf2b2de95eb4a90CAS |
Riley, S. P. D., Serieys, L. E. K., Pollinger, J. P., Sikich, J. A., Dalbeck, L., Wayne, R. K., and Ernest, H. B. (2014). Individual behaviors dominate the dynamics of an urban mountain lion population isolated by roads. Current Biology 24, 1989–1994.
| Individual behaviors dominate the dynamics of an urban mountain lion population isolated by roads.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtlKrsbfK&md5=d51337c75b4afe2fbe0f3a63f0048f8aCAS |
Schwab, A. C., and Zandbergen, P. A. (2011). Vehicle-related mortality and road crossing behavior of the Florida panther. Applied Geography (Sevenoaks, England) 31, 859–870.
| Vehicle-related mortality and road crossing behavior of the Florida panther.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Shine, R., and Mason, R. T. (2004). Patterns of mortality in a cold-climate population of garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis). Biological Conservation 49, 465–473.
Siers, S. R., Reed, R. N., and Savidge, J. A. (2016). To cross or not to cross: modeling wildlife road crossings as a binary response variable with contextual predictors. Ecosphere 7, e01292.
| To cross or not to cross: modeling wildlife road crossings as a binary response variable with contextual predictors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Soanes, K., Lobo, M. C., Vesk, P. A., McCarthy, M. A., and Moore, J. L. (2013). Movement re-established but not restored: inferring the effectiveness of roadcrossing mitigation for a gliding mammal by monitoring use. Biological Conservation 159, 434–441.
| Movement re-established but not restored: inferring the effectiveness of roadcrossing mitigation for a gliding mammal by monitoring use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Taylor, B. D., and Goldingay, R. L. (2010). Roads and wildlife: impacts, mitigation and implications for wildlife management in Australia. Wildlife Research 37, 320–331.
| Roads and wildlife: impacts, mitigation and implications for wildlife management in Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
Thompson, J. A. (2006). The comparative ecology and population dynamics of koalas in the Koala Coast region of south-east Queensland. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Queensland, Brisbane.
TSSC (2011). Assessment of the sensitivity of estimates of the trend in the national koala population to uncertainty in estimates of the populations at state level. Threatened Species Scientific Committee. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/197-sensitivity-analysis.pdf [accessed 29 May 2016].
TSSC (2012). Listing advice for Phascolarctos cinereus (Koala). Threatened Species Scientific Committee. Available at: http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/197-listing-advice.pdf [accessed 29 May 2016].
Toor, W., and Havlick, S. W. (2004). ‘Transportation & Sustainable Campus Communities: Issues, Examples, Solutions.’ (Island Press: Washington.)
Tucker, G. M., Clifton, D., and McKillup, S. C. (2012). Relationships between morphometric variables and age for captive individuals may not accurately estimate the age of free-ranging juvenile koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Australian Journal of Zoology 60, 173–179.
| Relationships between morphometric variables and age for captive individuals may not accurately estimate the age of free-ranging juvenile koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van der Ree, R., Clarkson, D. T., Holland, K., Gulle, N., and Budden, M. (2008). Review of mitigation measures used to deal with the issue of habitat fragmentation by major linear infrastructure. Report for Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA). Contract No. 025/2006. Published by DEWHA.
van der Ree, R., Cesarini, S., Sunnucks, P., Moore, J. L., and Taylor, A. C. (2010). Large gaps in canopy reduce road crossing by a gliding mammal. Ecology and Society 15, 35.
| Large gaps in canopy reduce road crossing by a gliding mammal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
van der Ree, R., Jaeger, J. A. G., van der Grift, E. A., and Clevenger, A. P. (2011). Effects of roads and traffic on wildlife populations and landscape function: road ecology is moving towards larger scales. Ecology and Society 16, 48.
| Effects of roads and traffic on wildlife populations and landscape function: road ecology is moving towards larger scales.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
White, N. A. (1999). Ecology of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in rural south east Queensland, Australia. Wildlife Research 26, 731–744.
| Ecology of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) in rural south east Queensland, Australia.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
