Toohey Forest labelled crucial to Brisbane’s biodiversity

A forest on Brisbane’s southside has been labelled crucial to Brisbane’s biodiversity by a renowned environmental expert. But what makes it so special?

A koala in Toohey Forest near Griffith University's Nathan Campus. Photo: Andrew Thomson

Koalas sit on the A-list of world wildlife — they’re a true rock star of the animal kingdom. As such, when they’re spotted at Griffith University’s Nathan campus which backs onto Toohey Forest, they draw fawning admiration.

Professor Darryl Jones, one of Australia’s leading urban ecologists, said it’s estimated there were around 30 koalas in Toohey Forest and sightings are routine in 2019.

But when Professor Jones arrived at Griffith 30 years ago, there were none there.

That changed around a decade ago. The koalas began reappearing, and where they have come from is somewhat of a mystery.

Griffith University's Nathan Campus Professor Darryl Jones is one of Australia’s leading urban ecologists.

Griffith researchers have tested koala faeces from the forest and found that the animals aren’t part of the same family. The best explanation is that wildlife carers have been dropping off rehabilitated animals into the forest.

They’ve chosen well; the koalas appear to be thriving. They love chewing the leaves in the tallowwood trees, and the shady cheese trees in the cool gullies are perfect for hot days.

Professor Jones says Toohey Forest is an ecological island in suburbia. It provides koalas and other wildlife food, water and habitat to eke out a living just 10 kilometres south of the Brisbane CBD.

Mother koala and her joey who looks like she is hanging on for dear life to a tree in Toohey Forest. Photo: Brad Lambert

“We’ve done a fair bit of looking at this: We know what koalas like to eat, so we have spent a lot of time making sure that there’s those sorts of trees here,” he said. “Thankfully, it’s absolutely ideal habitat for koalas.”

The number of koalas in the 260ha forest has become clear only recently. That is thanks to the work of Brad Lambert, a senior teacher with Toohey Forest Environment Education Centre.

Brad records all the wildlife that he finds on the Atlas of Living Australia website.

He also started a Toohey Forest Wildlife Facebook page to engage with the community, with the vision statement: Inspiring conservation by connecting communities to nature.

“There are a lot of people who don’t think there’s much living here; they actually think it’s a dead forest,” he said.

I’ve been trying to change the community awareness of what actually does live here.

This map shows the abundance of koalas in different parts of Toohey Forest.

The forest is home to lace monitors, bearded dragons, squirrel gliders, wallabies, and an array of birdlife — even a pair of powerful owls. Mr Lambert has proved that Toohey Forest is very much a living forest, and it could be a viable home for koalas and other flora and fauna for many years to come.

Prof Jones is confident it can continue being an ecological island in suburbia.