Print PageSummer foraging requirements for bats, a taxa of conservation interest, are poorly understood, especially in areas that are highly fragmented, located in an urban/suburban matrix, or in critically endangered oak savanna habitats. To increase our understanding of these habitat requirements, we are collecting data on bat species assemblages and relative foraging activities for The Oak Openings Region of Northwest Ohio, which includes all three conditions. As urban parks become refugia for species it is important to understand the critical characteristics to species persistence within these areas. Therefore, we conducted a fine scale survey of bat activity in two protected areas within the Oak Openings Region. Established methods of acoustic surveys using an Anabat monitor were employed from June-September of 2009 and 2010. This equipment records the high frequency echolocation calls of bats. Species vary based on their calls, therefore species presence and a relative measure of activity can be obtained. Data at the microhabitat, local, and landscape scale were also collected.
Results/Conclusions
Specific species composition included Myotis lucifugus, Myotis septentrionalis, Perimyotis subflavus, Eptesicus fuscus, Lasionycteris noctivagans, Lasiurus borealis, Lasiurus cinereus, and Nycticeius humeralis. The presence of E. fuscus, M. lucifugus and L. borealis was also confirmed with mist netting. The critical factors associated with the presence of each species varied across scales. The number and type of insects available was a significant predictor for 5 of the 8 species identified; however the important microhabitat, local and landscape variables differed and varied from the forest obligate M. septentrionalis which were more likely to be present in intact woodland sites to L. cinereus which were present in open areas with complex understory vegetation. This indicates that habitat heterogeneity is important to maintain species diversity. Acoustic surveys of oak savanna and oak woodlands further support the importance of habitat heterogeneity as these areas were widely and differentially used. In terms of relative activity, E. fuscus were significantly more active in savanna areas whereas N. humeralis and M. septentrionalis were significantly more active in areas characterized as woodlands. L. cinereus were utilizing neither, but L. borealis and M. lucifugus were equally active in both. The findings of this research will increase our ecological knowledge and aid management of the region in promoting biodiversity.
