City Trees, Parks, and Ponds: Green and Blue Spaces as Life Supports to Urban Bats

Moretto, Lauren; Ancillotto, Leonardo; Li, Han; Threlfall, Caragh G.; Jung, Kirsten; Ávila‐Flores, Rafael

doi:10.1007/978-3-031-13173-8_8

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 65 publications

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“…However, in Porto Santo and probably as an artefact of the small dimensions of the island, in which multiple land-use covers converge within relatively short distances, we were unable to detect these associations. Yet, consistent with previous studies (Ancillotto et al, 2019;Moretto et al, 2023;Torrent et al, 2018), we have found that bat activity was positively asso-ciated with artificial water reservoirs such as dams and urban ponds. Water limitations and unpredictability in precipitation, typical of xeric climates such as the one characterising Porto Santo (Maestre et al, 2016), pose important challenges to insectivorous bats (Conenna et al, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Insights into the habitat associations, phylogeny, and diet of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo, northeastern Macaronesia

et al. 2023

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Abstract. Around 60 % of all bat species occur in islands, and nearly one in four is an insular endemic. Bats are often the only native terrestrial mammals in oceanic islands, and despite increasing anthropogenic pressures, little is known about the distribution, natural history, and population status of most insular bat populations. The sub-tropical archipelago of Madeira is composed of the volcanic islands of Madeira, Porto Santo, and Desertas and is home to the Macaronesian endemic Pipistrellus maderensis, to the endemic subspecies Nyctalus leisleri verrucosus, and to Plecotus austriacus. Pipistrellus maderensis is known to both Madeira and Porto Santo, whereas the other two species have only been recorded in the former. However, no bats have been recorded in Porto Santo for over 15 years, raising fears that bats are probably extinct in the island. In July 2021, we conducted an island-wide acoustic survey using AudioMoth passive acoustic recorders, leading to the detection of Pipistrellus maderensis in 28 out of the 46 sampling sites (60 %). The species' activity was strongly associated with artificial water sources, and genetic samples from six captured individuals revealed that the populations of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo and Madeira have a close phylogenetic affinity. Furthermore, using DNA metabarcoding, we found that the species feeds on a wide variety of insects, including several economically important pest species and disease vectors. These findings emphasise the need to target more conservation and research efforts towards extant island bat populations and the potential ecosystem services they provide.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 92%

Insights into the habitat associations, phylogeny, and diet of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo, northeastern Macaronesia

et al. 2023

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“…Those declines reduce the vitality of ecosystem services rendered by bats, such as nuisance insect control in cities [39] and crop pest suppression in agricultural lands [40]. Evidence is needed to demonstrate that nature preserves as a conservation initiative can mitigate the impact of urbanization and agriculture and contribute to the sustainability of bats and their ecosystem services [41,42]. In this case study, we present evidence generated via acoustic monitoring on how a mediumsized nature preserve at the urban-agricultural interface can provide multiple functional habitats to different bat species.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conservation Value to Bats: Assessing Multiple Functional Habitats in a Nature Preserve at the Urban-Agricultural Interface via Temporal Ecology

Li,

White

2024

Sustainability

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In grassland ecosystems, agriculture and urbanization are two main anthropogenic disturbances to native fauna. Nature preserves at the urban-agricultural interface may include diverse vegetation habitats, providing opportunities for native fauna. Limited research has examined the conservation value of such preserves to bats. We examined bat activity patterns at multiple temporal scales at Glacier Creek Preserve in Omaha, Nebraska, USA, between 2018 and 2020 via acoustic monitoring to identify what functional habitats it might provide to bats. We placed bat detectors along the forest edge and in the open, restored native prairies and open agricultural fields. A total of nine species were recorded at the preserve, including the endangered Myotis septentrionalis. Foraging activities were recorded for six species. The edge habitat had higher overall acoustic activities for three species (Eptesicus fuscus, Lasiurus borealis, and Lasiurus cinereus) and a higher proportion of foraging activities for two species (Lasiurus borealis and Lasiurus cinereus) than the open habitat. Lasiurus cinereus displayed activity peaks early at night, whereas Lasiurus borealis had activity peaks late. Results suggest that a medium-sized nature preserve at the urban-agricultural interface can provide roosts, commuting corridors, and foraging grounds for different bats. The conservation value of such nature preserves should not be overlooked.

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City Trees, Parks, and Ponds: Green and Blue Spaces as Life Supports to Urban Bats

Cited by 2 publications

References 65 publications

Insights into the habitat associations, phylogeny, and diet of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo, northeastern Macaronesia

Insights into the habitat associations, phylogeny, and diet of Pipistrellus maderensis in Porto Santo, northeastern Macaronesia

Conservation Value to Bats: Assessing Multiple Functional Habitats in a Nature Preserve at the Urban-Agricultural Interface via Temporal Ecology

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