First record of a Nathusius’ pipistrelle (<i>Pipistrellus nathusii</i>) overwintering at a latitude above 60°N

Blomberg, Anna; Vasko, Ville; Salonen, Saku; Pētersons, Gunārs; Lilley, Thomas M.

doi:10.1101/2020.02.24.962563

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 29 publications

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“…Our study focused on two species of bats with differing population trajectories: the Nathusius’s pipistrelle and the Northern bat. The former is a species that is rapidly expanding its range to the north in Europe (Lundy et al 2010, Blomberg et al 2020), whereas the latter, although still abundant, has shown a sharp decline in population size (Rydell et al 2020). However, both of the species have rather broad habitat preferences (Tidenberg et al 2019), and had we chosen to focus on species with more specific habitat requirements, we may have seen differences between the two groups of observers in collected bat activity due to placement of the recorders.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both species are distinguishable from all other bat species using automated identification software with manual confirmation. Whereas the Northern bat is still rather common in Finland, the Nathusius’s pipistrelle is poorly documented in Finland (Ijäs et al 2017, Tidenberg et al 2019, Blomberg et al 2020). We hypothesised that given the equipment and precise instructions on how to select a study site, citizen scientists would be able to collect a comparable amount of bat activity minutes of each species as researchers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Next-generation ultrasonic recorders facilitate effective bat activity and distribution monitoring by citizen scientists

Lundberg

Meierhofer

Vasko

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Time and budgetary resources are often a limiting factor in the collection of large-scale ecological data. If data collected by citizen scientists were comparable to data collected by researchers, it would allow for more efficient data collection over a broad geographic area. Here, we compare the quality of data on bat activity collected by citizens (high school students and teachers) and researchers. Both researchers and citizen scientists used the same comprehensive instructions when choosing study sites. We found no differences in total bat activity minutes recorded by citizens and researchers. Instead, citizen scientists collected data from a wider variety of habitats than researchers. Involvement of citizens also increased the geographical coverage of data collection, resulting in the northernmost documentation of the Nathusius pipistrelle so far in Finland. Therefore, bat research can benefit from the use of citizen science when participants are given precise instructions and calibrated data collection equipment. Citizen science projects also have other far-reaching benefits, increasing, for example, the scientific literacy and interest in natural sciences of citizens. Involving citizens in science projects also has the potential to enhance their willingness to conserve nature.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Next-generation ultrasonic recorders facilitate effective bat activity and distribution monitoring by citizen scientists

Lundberg

Meierhofer

Vasko

et al. 2021

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Winter activity of boreal bats

Blomberg

Vasko

Meierhofer

et al. 2020

Preprint

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Natural hibernation sites used by bats in areas that lack cave features have long remained unresolved. To investigate hibernation site selection and winter activity of boreal bats, we recorded bat calls using passive acoustic monitoring on 16 sites. These sites included four rock outcrops with crevices and cave features, three glacial erratics or boulder fields, three ancient shores, three root cellars and three control sites where we did not expect bats to be overwintering. Our results revealed echolocation calls of Eptesicus nilssonii, Plecotus auritus and Myotis sp. We recorded significantly more activity near rock outcrops and root cellars compared to other habitats. We also found that ambient temperature had a positive effect on bat activity and found evidence that P. auritus may be using low barometric pressure as a proxy for suitable foraging conditions during the winter. Our results suggest that rock outcrops may be more important to bats than previously acknowledged, highlighting the need to take these sites in account in planning of conservation measures. Furthermore, our findings underline the suitability of using acoustic monitoring in homing on hibernation sites that are not otherwise accessible.

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First record of a Nathusius’ pipistrelle (Pipistrellus nathusii) overwintering at a latitude above 60°N

Cited by 2 publications

References 29 publications

Next-generation ultrasonic recorders facilitate effective bat activity and distribution monitoring by citizen scientists

Next-generation ultrasonic recorders facilitate effective bat activity and distribution monitoring by citizen scientists

Winter activity of boreal bats

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