Megafires and koala occurrence: a comparative analysis of field data and satellite imagery
Cristian Gabriel Orlando
A * , Rebecca Montague-Drake B , John Turbill B and Mathew S. Crowther A
A
B
Abstract
Megafires can have a devastating effect on koala populations. With climate change increasing habitat vulnerability to wildfires, understanding how to efficiently measure the impact of these events on koalas is essential. We analysed the relationship between the 2019-2020 megafires and the probability of koala occurrence in Mid North Coast NSW. We found that two on-field and one satellite-derived variables measuring fire severity equally explained koala occurrence. The probability of koala occurrence decreased with increasing fire severity. This supports the use of remote sensing imagery to efficiently monitor the impact of future fire events on koala populations in the region.
Keywords: climate change, conservation, endangered species, habitat loss, megafires, Phascolarctidae, satellite imagery.
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