Are bat boxes as artificial roost structures a threat mitigation tool or can they impede population recovery?

Bats are a crucial part of healthy ecosystems, providing vast economic benefits through control of forest, agricultural and human pest insects (including mosquitoes!). Unfortunately, bat populations face many threats, including an exotic fungus causing white-nose syndrome, which is lethal to bats. It is important to understand how we can enhance bat habitats so they can successfully raise young an essential part of maintaining or recovering populations. Our proposed work will support a MSc student who will compare maternity colonies in the Okanagan and Kootenay regions of BC. We will record bat numbers and reproduction, and the environments in different roost types; these data will help us to identify the most important characteristics of maternal roosts. Our partner, Wildlife Conservation Society Canada, has identified this research as a high priority in their conservation plans for bats. Our results will be shared with researchers, government managers, and non-profit groups interested in bats.

Faculty Supervisor:

Karl Larsen

Student:

Susan Dulc

Partner:

Wildlife Conservation Society Canada

Discipline:

Resources and environmental management

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program: