Eucalyptus forests make up over 70% of the native forests in Australia. They are very well adapted to droughts and wildfires and every one of us is using products made from their fibres or essential oils. In the East and Southeast of Australia, they are furthermore the home to the adorable Koalas, who are specialized in eating Eucalyptus leaves, which is their only food. Due to the low nutrient content of those leaves, Koalas can sleep up to 18 hours a day. (WWF)

 Being strongly dependent on Eucalyptus forests for food and shelter, Koalas are heavily impacted by the destruction of this forest ecosystem. For the most part, deforestation is caused by humans and makes Koalas prone to attacks by dogs or car accidents, because they have to spend more time on the ground to move in between trees. Additionally, climate change poses new challenges for their survival through increasing wildfires and decreasing nutrient content in Eucalyptus leaves. (WWF) Being one of the most iconic species of Australia, different campaigns and conservation measures are launched, such as the Government of East Queensland’s “South East Queensland Koala Conservation Strategy 2019-2024”. (QC)

Write up by Charlotte Walter

WWF Australia, https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/species/koala#gs.zpart1 
WWF Australia, https://www.wwf.org.au/what-we-do/species/tree-clearing#gs.zpa9xo
Queensland Government, https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/animals/living-with/koalas/conservation/draft-seq-koala-strategy