| Title | Effective conservation of subterranean-roosting bats |
| Abstract | Bats frequently inhabit caves and other subterranean habitats and play a critical role in subterranean food webs. With escalating threats to subterranean ecosystems, identifying the most effective measures to protect subterranean-roosting bats is critical. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and management interventions for subterranean-roosting bats. We used network analyses to determine to what extent interventions for bats overlap those used for other subterranean taxa. We conducted our analyses with data extracted from 345 papers recommending a total of 910 conservation interventions. Gating of roost entrances was applied to preserve bat populations in 21 studies, but its effectiveness was unclear. Habitat restoration and disturbance reduction positively affected bat populations and bat behavior, respectively, in =4 studies. Decontamination was assessed in 2 studies and positively affected bat populations, particularly in studies focused on reducing fungal spores associated with white-nose syndrome in North America. Monitoring of bat populations as an effective conservation strategy was unclear and infrequently tested. Only 4% of bat studies simultaneously considered other subterranean organisms. However, effective interventions for bat conservation had similarities with all other organisms. If other subterranean organisms are considered when applying interventions to conserve bats, they might also benefit. |
| Source | Conservation biology |
| Keywords | chiropteraecosystem serviceevidence-based conservationgatingmanagement practicesroostsubterranean biologyumbrella speciesbiologia subterraneaChiropteracolocacion de compuertasconservacion basada en evidenciasdormideroespecie paraguaspracticas de manejoservicio ambiental??????????????????????????????????BatsbatsMeta-analysisMeta-analysis;batsbats |
| Journal | Conservation biology |
| Editor | Blackwell Scientific Publications,, Boston, Mass., Stati Uniti d'America |
| Year | 2023 |
| Type | Articolo in rivista |
| DOI | 10.1111/cobi.14157 |
| Authors | Meierhofer, Melissa B.; Johnson, Joseph S.; Perez-Jimenez, Janette; Ito, Fernanda; Webela, Paul W.; Wiantoro, Sigit; Bernard, Enrico; Tanalgo, Krizler C.; Hughes, Alice; Cardoso, Pedro; Lilley, Thomas; Mammola, Stefano |
| Text | 486273 2023 10.1111/cobi.14157 ISI Web of Science WOS 001038911000001 chiroptera ecosystem service evidence based conservation gating management practices roost subterranean biology umbrella species biologia subterranea Chiroptera colocacion de compuertas conservacion basada en evidencias dormidero especie paraguas practicas de manejo servicio ambiental Bats bats Meta analysis Meta analysis; bats bats Effective conservation of subterranean roosting bats Meierhofer, Melissa B.; Johnson, Joseph S.; Perez Jimenez, Janette; Ito, Fernanda; Webela, Paul W.; Wiantoro, Sigit; Bernard, Enrico; Tanalgo, Krizler C.; Hughes, Alice; Cardoso, Pedro; Lilley, Thomas; Mammola, Stefano Univ Helsinki; Univ Cincinnati; Univ Cincinnati; Univ Fed Pernambuco; Maasai Mara Univ; Natl Res Innovat Agcy; Univ Southern Mindanao; Univ Hong Kong; Chinese Acad Sci; Univ Helsinki; Natl Res Council CNR; Natl Biodivers Future Ctr; Univ Helsinki Bats frequently inhabit caves and other subterranean habitats and play a critical role in subterranean food webs. With escalating threats to subterranean ecosystems, identifying the most effective measures to protect subterranean roosting bats is critical. We conducted a meta analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of conservation and management interventions for subterranean roosting bats. We used network analyses to determine to what extent interventions for bats overlap those used for other subterranean taxa. We conducted our analyses with data extracted from 345 papers recommending a total of 910 conservation interventions. Gating of roost entrances was applied to preserve bat populations in 21 studies, but its effectiveness was unclear. Habitat restoration and disturbance reduction positively affected bat populations and bat behavior, respectively, in =4 studies. Decontamination was assessed in 2 studies and positively affected bat populations, particularly in studies focused on reducing fungal spores associated with white nose syndrome in North America. Monitoring of bat populations as an effective conservation strategy was unclear and infrequently tested. Only 4% of bat studies simultaneously considered other subterranean organisms. However, effective interventions for bat conservation had similarities with all other organisms. If other subterranean organisms are considered when applying interventions to conserve bats, they might also benefit. Published version Published version 2023_MEIERHOFER ET AL. Conservation Biology.pdf Articolo in rivista Blackwell Scientific Publications, 0888 8892 Conservation biology Conservation biology Conserv. biol. Conservation biology stefano.mammola MAMMOLA STEFANO |
