The Koala Sentinel Monitoring Program is a multi-year initiative designed to assess koala populations across six key locations in NSW. The program focuses on monitoring disease prevalence, genetic diversity, and ecological factors influencing koala populations. The data collected aims to identify and understand the complex interactions between environmental threats and koala population health, providing insights into long-term population trends. Since its launch, the program has completed one full monitoring cycle (Nov 2023 – Sept 2024) and is currently in its second round, which will conclude in September 2025. Genomics data This metadata statement describes the genomic and individual-level data collected during the first annual sampling period (2023–2024) and links to the publicly available whole genome resequencing (WGR) dataset.

The NSW Koala Strategy identifies 50 koala populations in New South Wales based on the Areas of Regional Koala Significance (ARKS) identified by the NSW Government (DPIE 2020), noting that koalas are also found outside these areas. These 50 koala populations have been prioritised in 2 intervention categories: populations for immediate investment populations with key knowledge gaps. The nineteen populations for immediate investment are relatively large koala populations supported by good levels of knowledge but subject to significant threats. These populations have been prioritised for investment because we have a good understanding of their size and distribution, habitat values and the nature and intensity of threats. Through targeted investment and management, we can reduce the threats to these koala populations. Expert assessment of a range of criteria determined whether a population area would be prioritised for investment over the next five years. Many of the nineteen populations are likely to support a minimum of 1000 koalas, and in some cases, they likely support many more. Populations for immediate investment in most cases exactly match existing ARKS. In a few cases, the name of the ARKS has been amended for clarity, and the boundary of several ARKS has also been amended (see Table 1 in MS Word document). For the remaining 31 koala populations, we will address knowledge gaps through a baseline survey program to assess their population status, genetics, and health. Some information is known about these koala populations already, however, in many places there are gaps in our knowledge. Interventions to reduce threats, improve habitat and support population viability will be carried out once the status of koalas is known and key threats identified. It is likely that all koala populations will benefit from local, community- based actions, improved local planning processes and targeted research on the status of koalas and the distribution of habitat. In addition to the initial surveys, for some populations we will use ongoing monitoring to track population trends and measure the effectiveness of interventions. The intervention category of koala populations may change over time. Populations can move between categories as knowledge is improved, or populations are made more secure through strategic interventions. Reference: DPIE 2020, Framework for the spatial prioritisation of koala conservation actions in NSW: Saving our Species Iconic Koala Project

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) species sightings in NSW. Sightings are derived from the BioNet Species Sightings oData Web service, via an ETL process which generates geometries for use in the spatial web services listed below. Records are updated daily. Supporting information: Koala - Threatened Species Profile https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/threatenedspeciesapp/profile.aspx?id=10616

The Community Wildlife Survey is used to determine the presence or absence of koalas and other wildlife across NSW (crowd-sourced data) and the community’s perceptions of change in koala populations and their threats over time (community wisdom). Trends can be identified by comparing wildlife populations in 2006 with later surveys. The survey will improve our understanding of the distribution of koalas and other wildlife in NSW, to indicate how their populations have changed over time, and to investigate what might be causing that change.

The aim of the Wildcount program was to monitor fauna in eastern New South Wales within NPWS estate and identify changes in species populations through occupancy modelling. Surveys commenced in 2012 and were conducted annually at standard sites until 2021. Each field program was conducted in Autumn. The average number of sites surveyed each year was 198. Within each site four Reconyx PC800 cameras were deployed and placed at the corners of a 500 x 500 metre grid. Lures consisting of peanut butter and oats were placed infront of each camera. Each site was surveyed for a minimum of 14 consecutive days. Species were recorded as either present or absent and each species identification was assigned a level of confidence (definite, probable, possible). Summarised results are searchable on the NSW BioNet, under the 'WildCount' dataset. Systematic information is captured in the Fauna Survey module of the BioNet system as well. Information regarding species lists, and site locations, are available on an internal PowerBI. Supporting Information: Website https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/topics/animals-and-plants/surveys-monitoring-and-records/native-animal-monitoring A final report is being produced and will be made available once completed.

The overall purpose of natural resource monitoring in national parks is to develop scientifically sound information on the current status and long-term trends in the composition, structure, and function of park ecosystems. Use of monitoring information will increase confidence in managers’ decisions, improving their ability to manage park resources. This increased knowledge will allow managers to confront and mitigate threats to the park and operate more effectively in legal and political arenas. Very few landbird projects have been completed within the parks of the KLMN and there have been even fewer long-term monitoring projects. Without this information, park managers will have difficulty determining the status and trends of these species within their boundaries, they will not have statistically vigorous data available to compare landbird communities within their boundaries to those communities outside their boundaries, and they will not have a clear understanding of how the management practices in the park are affecting landbirds. This protocol will provide park managers with data and information that can be utilized to help better address these issues. Birds were among the 10 highest ranked vital signs in the KLMN vital signs selection process (Odion et al. 2005). Selection of landbird communities is consistent with the consensus to monitor the status and trends in structure, function, and composition of focal communities, the second highest ranking monitoring question for the Network (Sarr et al. 2007). Landbirds were selected as a focus group for bird monitoring in the KLMN because they provide cost-effective information about ecological conditions of interest (Alexander et al. 2007) and they are well represented in the major terrestrial habitats in the parks. In addition, the status and trends of other bird populations not monitored by this protocol (e.g., sea bird colonies, Bald Eagles, Peregrine Falcons, Northern Spotted Owls) are already being monitored by the parks or by other agencies. One approach to designing monitoring projects is to focus on groups of organisms that can provide cost-effective information about ecological conditions of interest (Vos et al. 2000, Gram et al. 2001). Landbirds are an effective tool for monitoring because: (1) many species are easily and inexpensively detected, (2) standardized sampling protocols have already been developed, (3) landbird species respond to a wide variety of habitat conditions, and (4) measuring status and trends for many species with different ecological requirements can inform landscape scale conservation strategies (Hutto 1998). The potential for landbirds to serve as effective ecological indicators is noted in Recommended Methods for Inventorying and Monitoring Landbirds in National Parks (Fancy and Sauer 2000). In this publication, Fancy and Sauer put forth the justification for monitoring bird communities within the National Park Service Inventory and Monitoring (I&M) Program: Birds are an important component of park ecosystems, and their high body temperature, rapid metabolism, and high ecological position in most food webs make them a good indicator of the effects of local and regional changes in ecosystems. Moreover, birds have a tremendous following among the public, and many parks provide information on the status and trends of birds in the park through their interpretive program.