Journal article
Use of expert knowledge to elicit population trends for the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus)
C Adams-Hosking, MF Mcbride, G Baxter, M Burgman, D de Villiers, R Kavanagh, I Lawler, D Lunney, A Melzer, P Menkhorst, R Molsher, BD Moore, D Phalen, JR Rhodes, C Todd, D Whisson, CA Mcalpine
Diversity and Distributions | WILEY | Published : 2016
DOI: 10.1111/ddi.12400
Abstract
Aim: The koala is a widely distributed Australian marsupial with regional populations that are in rapid decline, are stable or have increased in size. This study examined whether it is possible to use expert elicitation to estimate abundance and trends of populations of this species. Diverse opinions exist about estimates of abundance and, consequently, the status of populations. Location: Eastern and south-eastern Australia Methods: Using a structured, four-step question format, a panel of 15 experts estimated population sizes of koalas and changes in those sizes for bioregions within four states. They provided their lowest plausible estimate, highest plausible estimate, best estimate and t..
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Funding Acknowledgements
We are grateful to Alison Specht and the Australian Centre for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (ACEAS) a Facility within the Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network (TERN) for providing funding and logistic support for this workshop.