Abstract Connectivity of wildlife populations is considered a key component of biodiversity conservation and management; therefore, connectivity mapping is increasingly performed for wildlife species worldwide. We systematically reviewed the connectivity literature for an iconic threatened species, the koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ). Consistent with global trends in connectivity research, recent koala studies were more likely to assess potential functional connectivity. Yet, in contrast to recent global trends, no koala studies have used realised functional connectivity measures (i.e. incorporating telemetry or genetic data). There was wide variation in variables used (with no two studies utilising the same combination of variables) and analysis techniques, with no standard methods employed to calculate variables used to estimate koala connectivity. Less than a quarter of the studies included data from local koala populations to inform connectivity mapping, with most (71%) having to rely on expert opinion to inform analyses where data was lacking. Only 30% of studies directly validated connectivity outputs with field surveys for current koala presence. Wide variations in koala ecology and behaviour across their broad distribution, difficulties in defining suitable habitat and a lack of available data, remain key challenges to effective connectivity mapping. Practical implication . Realised functional connectivity mapping could facilitate successful conservation management of this threatened species, yet this review indicates that global scientific advances in connectivity mapping are yet to be fully utilised for koalas. There is a risk that the availability of mapping products may provide decision makers with a false sense of confidence when applying these products to koala conservation management and planning. Whereas, in most cases, the supporting fundamental ecological data required for robust connectivity mapping is still lacking.
Brunton et al. (Wed,) studied this question.