Habitat edge context and the distribution of phyllostomid bats in the Andean forest and anthropogenic matrix in the Central Andes of Colombia

Abstract

Bats play an important role in the ecosystem as seed dispersers, pollinators and pest controllers. In particular, frugivorous bats are important for regeneration processes in open and degraded areas, because they disperse the seeds of pioneer plant species, which are essential for succession. Depending on the type of habitat that is established at the fragment edge, resources and bat movement patterns toward open areas can be affected. The structure and composition of bats was compared between two 'interior-edge-pasture' gradients, in an Andean forest fragment located at the Reserva Natural la Montaña del Ocaso (Quindío, Colombia). The two edge-types considered were forest-edge and bambooedge (Guadua angustifolia, Poaceae), both located in the same fragment. Bat abundance was significantly different in the two edge habitats. The forest-edge is a soft edge, in that it allows bat species to move from the interior of the forest to the pasture in front of it. In contrast, the bamboo-edge can be defined as semi-permeable, because it allows less movement of species and individuals from the interior to the pasture. Here we evaluate the possible effects of habitat edge type on bat movement in degraded areas in the main coffee producing region of Colombia.

Structure and diversity of phyllostomid bat assemblages on riparian corridors in a human‐dominated tropical landscape

“…Nonetheless, V. caraccioli (Stenodermatinae) was caught exclusively in undisturbed forest, and C. perspicillata (Carolliinae) was caught mainly in riparian pasture habitat, supporting the idea that sedentary bats seldom leave mature forests (Soriano ). In this context, open pastures generate impermeability, because they seem to limit the movement of frugivorous bats restraining seed‐flux between fragments and their matrix process that is crucial in the recovery in old fields (Cortés‐Delgado and Pérez‐Torres ).…”

Ecological Traits of Phyllostomid Bats Associated with Sensitivity to Tropical Forest Fragmentation in Los Chimalapas, Mexico

“…In insular systems, strong evidence indicates that tropical bats displaying low tolerance to edge effect are predisposed to population declines because of habitat fragmentation [17]. However, the magnitude of edge effect depends on the degree of contrast between matrix and patches; a greater effect is observed in high contrast landscapes [11,12], and possibly is less severe in fragmented terrestrial landscapes [7,[61][62][63] because the contrast between border and matrix is less pronounced [63]. Additionally, bats are able to use elements of fragmented landscapes such as corridors, steppingstones, and even the vegetation matrix [3,56,64].…”

Comparative landscape genetics of two frugivorous bats in a biological corridor undergoing agricultural intensification

“…Roosting habits of C. castanea are also dependent on forest; this species is not known to roost in man-made structures or agriculture, but rather appears to roost exclusively in cavities among tree roots in riparian zones (Bonaccorso et al, 2006;Thies, Kalko, & Schnitzler, 2006). Previous studies have found that C. castanea abundance is lower in modified agricultural areas than in interior forest (Cort es-Delgado & P erez-Torres, 2011;Medina, Harvey, Merlo, Vilchez, & Hernandez, 2007), and is especially low in intensive agriculture like full-sun coffee and oil palm plantations (Freudmann et al, 2015;Numa, Verd u, & S anchez-Palomino, 2005).…”