The spatial and temporal distribution of koala faecal pellets

Faecal pellets were collected under trees used by free-ranging koalas in so uth-western, central and southeastern Queensland to determine the spatial a nd temporal distribution of pellets with respect to the activity of koalas. Deposition of faecal pellets by koalas was analysed according to the time of day at which the tree was occupied. For free-ranging koalas, 47% of dail y faecal pellet output was recovered using a collection mat of 8 x 8 m plac ed under a day-roost tree. The best predictor of pellet production was the presence of a koala in a tree between 1800 hours and midnight. For other pe riods, there was no relationship between period of tree occupancy and faeca l pellet recovery. There was a significant relationship between the average length of tree occupancy and the time of day that a koala entered a tree.