Improving habitat models and their utility in koala conservation

Models of what makes good koalas habitat are a key to developing effective conservation policy and practices. Koala habitat models are based on (1) ec ological studies of high-density koala populations in limited areas, (2) ph ysiological studies of koala nutrition and characteristics of food plants, and (3) surveys of koala geographic distribution and biophysical features o f forests and woodlands. The role of models in koala conservation varies be cause legislators, decisionmakers, land managers, and citizens have differe nt expectations and uses for models. Although current habitat models addres s many of these needs, overall they lack sufficient certainty and authority to resolve disputes and develop policy. Unpublished and inadequately peer- reviewed data and models add to misinterpretation and argument. Improvement s are needed in the decision-making process to increase the constructive in volvement of all interest groups and to focus on the koala conservation pro blem, thereby reducing use of the popular media and courts of law to achiev e objectives.