Article
Ecology
Stephen R. Griffiths, Pia E. Lentini, Kristin Semmens, Kylie A. Robert
Summary: Interest in carving cavities into trees to provide habitat for hollow-dependent wildlife is growing rapidly, but there is little evidence to support the use of carved fissure cavities by bats. A field trial found that the entrances to carved fissures were closed by wood growth or sap flow within a short period of time, and no bats or other vertebrates were observed using them as roosts. This highlights the need for further research to assess whether these carved cavities can truly provide long-term habitat for bats.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nina R. Garrett, Jonathan Watkins, Charles M. Francis, Nancy B. Simmons, Natalia Ivanova, Amanda Naaum, Andrew Briscoe, Rosie Drinkwater, Elizabeth L. Clare
Summary: Understanding roosting behavior is crucial for bat conservation and biomonitoring, as it provides accurate methods for assessing population size and health. However, surveying roosts can be challenging and disruptive to bats. The use of non-invasive monitoring approaches, such as airborne eDNA collection, has proven effective in detecting bat species and other vertebrates in hard-to-reach locations.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Brianne E. Brussee, Peter S. Coates, Shawn T. O'Neil, Michael L. Casazza, Shawn P. Espinosa, John D. Boone, Elisabeth M. Ammon, Scott C. Gardner, David J. Delehanty
Summary: Numerous wildlife species in semi-arid shrubland ecosystems in western North America are suffering from habitat loss and fragmentation. Greater sage-grouse, considered an indicator of ecosystem health, have experienced population decline due to habitat degradation.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Grzegorz Apoznanski, Andrew Carr, Magnus Gelang, Tomasz Kokurewicz, Alek Rachwald
Summary: We study the relationship between the western barbastelle bat and its prey-moths of the genus Orthosia, which are attracted to willow trees in early spring. Our results show a significant association between the barbastelle bat and willow trees during this time period. We also observe the activity levels of the barbastelle bat decreasing as other species of prey become available. These findings have implications for conservation measures targeting barbastelle bats.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Jonathan P. Townsend, Chris S. Renschler, Jared Aldstadt
Summary: Understanding bat habitat use and species-specific foraging behavior is crucial for effective bat conservation. This study in Chautauqua County, NY, utilized GIS and bioacoustic sampling to investigate bat habitat interactions, identifying the significance of forested areas for bats. The methodology proved useful in gathering large datasets efficiently and can serve as a baseline for future conservation efforts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Anna C. C. Nisi, John F. F. Benson, Richard King, Christopher C. C. Wilmers
Summary: A rigorous understanding of how environmental conditions affect population dynamics is crucial for species conservation. This study analyzed an 11-year dataset on puma space use, mortality, and reproduction to quantify the impacts of living in a fragmented landscape on individual survival and population dynamics. The results showed that long-term exposure to housing density led to increased mortality risk for female pumas, resulting in source-sink dynamics and reduced female survival in more developed areas. Habitat selection was found to be a better proxy for habitat quality in predicting source areas for large carnivores compared to time-of-day-independent habitat selection. The study highlights the importance of conserving high-quality source habitat and linking landscape conditions to population dynamics for effective conservation.
ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
K. Barre, K. Spoelstra, Y. Bas, S. Challeat, R. Kiri Ing, C. Azam, G. Zissis, D. Lapostolle, C. Kerbiriou, I Le Viol
Summary: The study found that bridge lighting significantly reduces bat activity, causing them to fly faster and keep a greater distance near illuminated bridges, thus reducing habitat availability and connectivity.
ANIMAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Maria Cavedon, Bridgett VonHoldt, Mark Hebblewhite, Troy Hegel, Elizabeth Heppenheimer, Dave Hervieux, Stefano Mariani, Helen Schwantje, Robin Steenweg, Megan Watters, Marco Musiani
Summary: The study found differences and specialization in habitat selection and use among different ecotypes of caribou, as well as individual variations within the same ecotype. Genetic variation in SNPs played a key role in habitat selection in caribou, related to habitat and dietary specialization, and climatic adaptations. The associations between habitat and genes detected may lead to lack of resilience in the species, contributing to caribou endangerment.
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Forestry
Takahiro Maki, Sachiko Yasui, Takashi Kamijo
Summary: Plantations are important habitats for wildlife, including bats, with clear-cut stands showing significantly higher bat activity compared to mature stands, especially for open-space foraging bats. The feeding buzz ratio of open-space foraging bats in clear-cut stands is higher and shows a significant positive correlation with tree density. However, the potential loss of roosting sites due to clearcutting must be considered for bat conservation efforts.
JOURNAL OF FOREST RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Valeriya Komyakova, Dean Chamberlain, Stephen E. Swearer
Summary: This study compared individual fitness and mortality rates of three species in different habitat types, revealing that certain artificial reefs may act as ecological traps for specific species. Poorly designed or placed artificial reefs could have negative impacts on marine ecosystems, raising concerns about the implications for marine conservation efforts.
ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Xu, Biao Yang, Qiang Dai, Han Pan, Xue Zhong, Jianghong Ran, Xuyu Yang, Xiaodong Gu, Zhisong Yang, Dunwu Qi, Rong Hou, Zejun Zhang
Summary: This study evaluates the management of giant panda populations in China and proposes suggestions for landscape-scale conservation in the national park system.
Article
Forestry
Katja Rauchenstein, Klaus Ecker, Elias Bader, Christian Ginzler, Christoph Dueggelin, Fabio Bontadina, Martin K. Obrist
Summary: Human impact on vegetation structure poses a threat to the main foraging habitat of Greater Mouse-eared Bats. Predicting the suitable foraging habitat using LiDAR has significant implications for conservation management.
FOREST ECOLOGY AND MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jennifer A. Border, Simon Gillings, Tom Reynolds, Gregor Neeve, Stuart E. Newson
Summary: Urban expansion poses a severe threat to bats, but efforts to protect them are hindered by a lack of data. This study found that using citizen science data and a passive acoustic network can help create maps of areas with high risk to bats from urbanization and identify the best opportunities for habitat mitigation. This modeling and mapping approach has great potential in urban planning to reduce impacts on important bat habitats and enable targeted habitat creation.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2022)
Article
Biology
Yen-Hua Huang, Hendrina Joel, Martina Kusters, Zoe R. Barandongo, Claudine C. Cloete, Axel Hartmann, Pauline L. Kamath, J. Werner Kilian, John K. E. Mfune, Gabriel Shatumbu, Royi Zidon, Wayne M. Getz, Wendy C. Turner
Summary: The study found that anthrax mortalities were higher in open habitats, and herbivores shifted habitat selection in response to changes in rainfall and vegetation productivity. Years with abundant rainfall supported larger anthrax outbreaks, while severe drought led to animals congregating in less preferred habitats.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Forestry
Andrzej Wegiel, Witold Grzywinski, Radoslaw Jaros, Agnieszka Lacka, Jolanta Wegiel
Summary: This study aims to compare the foraging activity of bats in different forest types and test whether it varies seasonally. Sample points were selected in coniferous, mixed, and deciduous forests in western Poland. Bat calls were recorded using automated ultrasound recording devices during five consecutive nights from May to September. Eight bat species and seven sonotype groups were recorded with no significant differences in total activity between forest types. However, there were high seasonal fluctuations in bat foraging activity.